Zamalek Firm on Ahmed Fattouh's Future Amid Transfer Rumors
Ahmed Fattouh’s name has been circling in the transfer rumour mill, but inside Zamalek the message is blunt and uncompromising: he is not leaving.
Reports from Saudi outlets had pushed the idea of Al-Fateh moving for the Egypt international left-back, encouraged by the level he showed with the national team at the recent World Cup. A good tournament, a Saudi Pro League club in need, a big-name Egyptian side under financial pressure – it all made for an easy story.
Ahmed Shobier was having none of it.
On his radio programme, the former Egypt goalkeeper cut through the noise, branding the Al-Fateh links “journalistic speculation” and underlining that Zamalek have no intention of cashing in on one of their key assets.
He laid out the picture clearly: “One of the Saudi newspapers said that Al-Fateh is interested in signing Ahmed Fattouh, and Fattouh certainly delivered a wonderful performance at the World Cup, and overall he is one of the wonderful players.” High praise, but with a firm bottom line – admiration does not equal availability.
What strengthens Zamalek’s hand is not just Fattouh’s form, but the depth around him. The left-back position is no longer a one-man department. Mahmoud Bentayeg offers competition, Echo has renewed his contract and remains in the frame, and Ahmed Khodary, who featured last season and impressed, is another option.
So this is not a case of a club clinging to a player out of desperation. They have cover. They have flexibility. And they still refuse to sell.
Fattouh’s importance, Shobier stressed, goes beyond a name on the teamsheet at left-back. Head coach Moatamed Gamal has leaned on him in multiple roles in recent months, using his intelligence, engine and delivery in different zones of the pitch. That tactical versatility only grew in value after his standout displays for Egypt on the world stage.
The World Cup did what World Cups always do for in-form players: it raised his technical and market value. For Zamalek, it also hardened their stance.
Shobier’s closing words left no room for interpretation. “Everything being circulated about Ahmed Fattouh is merely journalistic speculation, and I am one million per cent confident that it is impossible for Zamalek to let Fattouh go. This is a settled matter.”
No negotiating position. No softening of language. A settled matter.
While the rumours swirl outside, inside camp life goes on. Zamalek continue their preparations for the new season, sharpening up through a string of friendlies as Gamal fine-tunes his side. The countdown is already ticking towards 21 August, when they open their league campaign against Al-Ittihad Al-Sakandary at Cairo International Stadium.
On that night, under the lights, all eyes will turn to the left flank. And unless something seismic happens, they will still find Ahmed Fattouh in white.
