Ahli striker Emad Meteb will move away from the Cairo giants by the end of the season to join a European club, the Egypt international announced. Meteb, whose contract with the Red Devils runs out in the summer, has been determined for quite a while to ply his trade on the Old Continent but is yet to fulfill his long-held dream. With overtures from Fulham, Genoa, Portsmouth and Kayserispor, the 26-year-old stressed that his days in Egypt are numbered. "I have received many offers from European sides who aim to land me in the summer on a free transfer," Meteb told reporters. "During a meeting with (Ahli football director) Hadi Khashaba, I explained why I don't want to renew my contract with Ahli. "Everyone understands why I'm keen to depart, especially after the Bristol City saga." Meteb was close to completing a £1.5 million move to Bristol in 2008 but the deal eventually fell through. The English Championship outfit terminated their agreement with Meteb after he featured in an Ahli CAF Champions League game. His participation was regarded as a contractual breach at the time and Bristol backed out of the deal. He shortly afterwards joined Ittihad Jeddah on a year-long loan. Boyhood Club Meteb, who came through Ahli's youth system, stated that he wouldn't play for any Egyptian club except for the six-time African champions should he fail to move abroad.
Meteb didn't impress in CAN "Ahli are my boyhood club and I'm still within their ranks," he added. "If I can't secure a deal with a European side, I will stay on at Ahli." Proud Throughout Egypt's Nations Cup triumphant campaign, Meteb was castigated for his lack of cutting edge and energy. However, the Egypt regular assured that he's satisfied with the performances he put in during the biennial competition. "I did my best, I know I didn't score too many goals but I'm still proud of my displays," he said. "The absence of (Mohamed) Abou-Treika, Amr Zaki and Mido left me with a big responsibility. But the new faces lived up to prominence, especially Mohamed Nagi 'Geddo'. "I really don't pay too much attention to criticism; I don't have to prove anything. "Those who claim that (Egypt coach) Hassan Shehata always plays me because of the 'good relationship' between us doesn't make any sense. "If that's true, then why was (former Ahli boss) Manuel Jose regularly fielding me, and so is Hossam Al-Badri now? "If it's a matter of personal preference, maybe Shehata should call up his son Karim to Egypt's squad."
