CAIRO: Zamalek said they are ready to sell Amr Zaki to Portsmouth in January after Sulaiman Al-Fahim publicly expressed his interest in bringing him to Fratton Park. United Arab Emirates investor Al-Fahim completed his takeover of Portsmouth on Wednesday. Few hours later, he confirmed reports suggesting Pompey are lining up a bid for Egyptian international Zaki. I made an offer for Zaki s agent Nader Shawki to sign the player either on loan or on a permanent basis, he told Egyptian Radio. Zamalek board member Ibrahim Youssef said that Shawki is yet to contact the club but revealed they would be open to discussions when the transfer window re-opens in January. Shawki did not tell us anything regarding that offer, he just told us that Portsmouth want Zaki to travel to England to sit down with their coach Paul Hart, Youssef stated. We rejected that request but are willing to hold more talks with Portsmouth in January. We will have more time then to consider any offer. We may accept to sell Zaki to Portsmouth for the figure Al-Fahim mentioned (£3 million). A Zaki meeting with Hart is necessary to avoid any disciplinary problems like the ones the Bulldozer had last season with Wigan Athletic, Al-Fahim said. The 26-year-old spent last season on loan at the Latics and made a bright start to his Premier League adventure by scoring 10 goals but lack of commitment cost him a permanent stay at the JJB Stadium. Hart should make sure that Zaki won t repeat such actions, Al-Fahim added. Zaki is a very talented player but we want to be assured that he can make the same impact he had during the first half of last season.
