Zamalek have turned down an initial €2.5 million offer from Belgian side Standard Liege to sign forward Shikabala, the club's chairman Galal Ibrahim said on Wednesday. A Standard delegation sat down with Zamalek officials to discuss a possible deal for the talented 24-year-old, who was also targeted by Belgian giants Anderlecht in the summer. "We rejected Standard's offer to sign Shikabala for €2.5 million," Ibrahim told FilGoal.com. "We gave Standard 10 days to up their bid." Shikabala, who was involved in several disputes with Zamalek's board over the past few months, is understood to be keen to leave the club when the transfer window re-opens in January. He is consistently criticized for failing to live up to his potential, apparently due to some childish acts which often hinder his progress. Anderlecht relentlessly pursued him in the close season but saw two bids for him rejected by Zamalek's previous board, which was headed by businessman Mamdouh Abbas. New chairman Ibrahim is also reluctant to let Shikabala depart for less than €5 million, FilGoal.com understands. Standard signed Ahli striker Emad Meteb but were stunned after he astonishingly decided not to honor the contract he signed with them. He eventually returned to Ahli but Standard are still looking to sign another player from the Red Devils. They are holding talks with Ahli to acquire the services of versatile midfielder Ahmed Fathi, who had a brief spell with English side Sheffield United in 2007.
