LONDON, July 13, 2018 (News Wires) - Watford have joined Burnley in expressing an interest in Zamalek's Tarek Hamed, the Watford Observer understands. Sources close to the player confirmed the two Premier League sides have made contact with Zamalek and the player's agent over a potential transfer. The 29-year-old is eager to make a move to England, with the Premier League an obvious draw for a player who played in all of Egypt's games at the World Cup in Russia. A cut-price deal could also be struck due to a clause in Hamed's contract which would allow him to join an English club for just £1.5 million. Understandably, Zamalek are eager to sell one of their key assets for a greater sum and the situation has created somewhat of a stand off between player and the Egyptian club. Hamed has not reported for training with the 12-time Egyptian Premier League winners and the club's president is pushing for a move to a club outside of England. Teams in Egypt have expressed an interest in the 27-time capped midfielder and Turkish side Fenerbahce have submitted a transfer offer. However, Hamed's desire to play in England represents a sizeable road block to Zamalek's hopes of receiving the highest fee possible for their player. While the diminutive Hamed, who measures in a 5ft 7 inch, would welcome a move to either Watford or Burnley, the Hornets have the edge over their Premier League rivals due to the club's proximity to London. A central midfielder, Hamed is adept at breaking up play and aggressive in the tackle - skills which are always in high demand in the competitive Premier League. He has won multiple honours throughout his career, claiming the Egyptian Premier League title in 2015 as well as three Egyptian cups in the last four seasons. Success at international level also came tantalisingly close in 2017 when Hamed was a member of the Egypt team which lost the Africa Cup of Nations final 2-1 to Cameron. Watford are currently well stocked in the centre of the park, With Abdoulaye Doucoure, Nathaniel Chalobah, Will Hughes, Tom Cleverley and Etienne Capoue all in Javi Gracia's squad. The limited outlay required to secure the services of Hamed makes the chance to sign him an attractive one, though. So too could the potential departure of Doucoure, who was quick to stir speculation over his future during last season. The Frenchman was Watford's best player in 2017/18, leading to links to Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United. The noise surrounding a potential move has dissipated somewhat, but the final throes of the transfer window could, of course, see that change once again.
