Standard Liege have opened talks with Ahli on Wednesday to sign versatile midfielder Ahmed Fathi in January. "We had a meeting with Standard chairman today, during which we discussed the possibility of Fathi joining the Belgian club," Ahli board member Khaled Mortagi told FilGoal.com. Fathi has been an integral member of Ahli's squad since joining in 2007 after ending a brief spell at English side Sheffield United. He is one of the team's most consistent performers, with his ability to play in several positions, mainly defensive ones, giving the Red Devils plenty of options. The 25-year-old plays as a right-back this season in coach Hossam Al-Badri's 4-4-2 formation. Although he usually excels in that role, Fathi said more than once he prefers to play as a defensive midfielder. Ahli are yet to decide whether to offload the former Ismaili youngster, whose contract runs out at the end of the season. "The matter is still under consideration," Mortagi added without disclosing further details. Standard signed striker Emad Meteb from Ahli in the close season but he astonishingly decided not to honor his contract with them and eventually returned to the Cairo giants. The four-time Belgian champions' chairman Reto Stiffler also flew to Cairo to discuss with Zamalek, Ahli's arch-rivals, a potential deal for Shikabala. Zamalek turned down an initial €2.5 million offer from Standard to acquire the services of the talented forward.
