Egyptian Premier League giants, SC Zamalek, have hinted that the door remains open for the potential signing of World Cup-winning defender Sergio Ramos, despite his high salary demands. Club officials have revealed the possibility of signing the Spanish star.
Ahmed Shawky, Zamalek’s media coordinator, confirmed that Ramos, now a free agent, was offered to the club. However, Shawky acknowledged that there are significant financial hurdles standing in the way. “Some agents and mediators offered the possibility,” Shawky said. “Sergio Ramos is a fantastic player who has achieved everything with Real Madrid and Spain. He would be a huge asset for any club in the Middle East or Africa.”
Speculation surrounding Zamalek’s interest in Ramos began last month, just before the club’s CAF Super Cup victory against their fierce rivals, Al-Ahly, on September 27 in Riyadh. Though the move sparked excitement among fans, Shawky stated that no concrete steps had been taken due to the financial complexities involved. “The player is highly valued financially, and we’ve also signed other center-backs recently,” Shawky noted. “It would be a massive boost for Egyptian football, [and mean] more prestige for Zamalek and the league [if we can get the deal done].”
The club’s board member, Hani Shoukry, also weighed in, stating that Ramos welcomed the idea of playing in Egypt but reiterated that the player’s financial expectations were the primary stumbling block. “There’s been talk with Ramos in order for him to join Zamalek, he welcomed the interest and agreed to play in Egypt,” Shokry told OnTime Sports. “The difficulty is really in the financial aspects and the amounts requested by the Spanish star. It’s the main reason for not completing the deal. We’ve thought about the marketing advantages for the club of the player’s name, but the amounts that have been requested are very large and have made things difficult.”
Ramos, 38, is one of the most decorated footballers in history. A key member of Spain’s Golden Generation, he won two European Championships and the World Cup between 2008 and 2012. His illustrious club career saw him win five La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies with Real Madrid, followed by a successful stint at Paris Saint-Germain, where he added two Ligue 1 titles to his resume.
Though Egypt’s Premier League has seen African football stars rise to prominence, very few global icons have made the move to North Africa. One notable exception is former Chelsea winger Florent Malouda, who played briefly for Wadi Degla. Recently, French forward Anthony Modeste also spent a season at Al-Ahly before leaving in July.
While Zamalek fans remain hopeful, it is clear that securing the services of Sergio Ramos would require overcoming some significant financial challenges. Should the deal succeed, it would mark a groundbreaking moment in Egyptian football history, raising the league’s profile to new heights.
Melissa Enoch
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