Ahli are seeking to extend the contract of veteran midfielder Ahmed Hassan, a club official said on Thursday. The Egypt skipper's deal runs out at the end of the season amid reports linking him with a move away from Ahli. "We will sit down with Hassan following the team's African Champions League game against Heartland on September 12 to discuss the possibility of prolonging his stay," the Ahli official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told FilGoal.com. "The club's football committee and technical staff have agreed to retain the services of a player who is highly valued by the club." Hassan joined the Egyptian champions in the summer of 2008 after ending a successful two-year spell at Belgian giants Anderlecht. He produced some superb displays in his first season with the team to play a key role in their Egyptian Premier League and Champions League triumphs. He helped them to another league title the following year but made no secret of his frustration at being constantly substituted by coach Hossam Al-Badri. Reports linked him with a move to Belgian Egyptian-owned club Lierse in the close season but he eventually opted to stay put. However, speculation over his future resurfaced after Al-Badri relied on the likes of Hossam Ashour and new arrivals Mohamed Shawky and Hossam Ghaly in the heart of Ahli's midfield at the expense of Hassan in the first few games of the season. "Hassan will extend his contract before the end of the season if he and the club agree terms," the official added. The 35-year-old was voted the 2010 African Cup of Nations best player as Egypt won an unprecedented third consecutive title last January in Angola.
