Zamalek are seeking to extend the contract of under-fire right-back Ahmed Ghanem, the club's de factor football director Ibrahim Hassan said on Thursday. Ghanem, who was given a new lease of life following the appointment of Hossam Hassan as Zamalek's head coach last year, failed to maintain his fine displays when the White Knights faced arch-rivals Ahli last week. Ahli's mercurial midfielder Mohamed Barakat repeatedly skipped past him to score in stoppage time and give his side a thrilling 3-3 draw in the Cairo derby. However, Zamalek are looking to prolong his stay. "We have opened talk with Ghanem over a new deal," Hassan, who is banned from attending any matches for Zamalek until the end of the season after losing his head in a league game, told FilGoal.com. "Ghanem told me he eyes a move overseas but I'm sure that he will remain at Zamalek if he does not receive a suitable offer. "The technical staff has been keen to retain the services of Ghanem since its appointment. He notably improved during the past few months despite being subjected to fierce criticism." Ghanem, whose current deal runs out at the end of the season, was linked with a move to Ahli but the Red Devils denied that they were interested in signing him. Zamalek's technical staff has also accepted to let out-of-favor midfielder Ahmed Al-Merghani join Saudi side Al-Qadisiya on a season-long loan, Hassan said. "The final decision lies with Zamalek's board of directors though," he added. Central midfielder Al-Merghani rose to prominence last season under Swiss coach Michel Decastel but Hossam Hassan hardly played him this term.
