Zamalek step up efforts to extend Shikabala stay

Zamalek to open talks with their star Mahmoud Abdel-Razek 'Shikabala' to extend his stay with team amid interest from abroad

Zamlek have stepped up their efforts to extend the contract of Shikabala and fend off reported European interest in the in-form forward.
Shikabala, whose current deal runs out in December, has played a key role in helping the Cairo giants top the Egyptian Premier League table at the halfway stage after scoring nine goals.
Zamalek's interim president Galal Ibrahim set up a four-member committee to open talks with the 25-year-old over the possibility of prolonging his stay beyond the end of the year.
Board members Tareq Ghoneim and Abdullah George and head coach Hossam Hassan and his twin Ibrahim, the club's football director, will be responsible for extending Shikabala's deal following Saturday's anticipated Champions League clash against Tunisia's Club Africain.
It remains to be seen whether Shikabala, who was on the verge of joining Belgian giants Anderlecht last summer only to see their offer turned down by Zamalek, agrees to put pen-to-paper on a new contract amid reported European interest in his services.
“Shikabala will delay his contract extension negotiations until discussing some European offers,” his agent Samir Abdel-Tawab said.
Shikabala came through the youth ranks of Zamalek and spent a short spell with Greek side PAOK before rejoining his boyhood club in the summer of 2006 on a four-year contract.
He was part of Egypt's 2010 African Cup of Nations winning squad although he made only one appearance in the tournament.