Press reports have revealed Zamalek’s serious efforts to acquire defender Hadi Riad from Petrojet during the upcoming winter transfer window.
A well-informed source confirmed that the 27-year-old defender has been identified as a top priority to bolster Zamalek’s central defense in January.
In a related development, Zamalek’s sporting director, John Edward, personally oversaw the contact with Hadi Riad in recent days. This contact aimed to gauge the player’s interest in joining the White Knights and to discuss the general terms and personal conditions of a potential transfer.
Hadi Riad is open to joining Zamalek but is waiting to see how Hussein Labib’s administration resolves the current transfer ban before making a final decision.
Hadi Riad has been one of the Egyptian league’s standout defenders for the past two seasons and will travel with Egypt’s second-string team to Qatar for the Arab Cup in December. It should be noted that Hadi Riad’s move to Zamalek means he will be a replacement for either Hossam Abdel-Maguid – if he is sold in January – or the Moroccan defender Salah Mosaddak, who is expected to leave, even if only on loan.
