CAIRO: Ismaili edged closer to signing Sion goalkeeper Essam Al-Hadari, according to sources inside the club.
The Egypt goalkeeper accepted Ismaili’s offer and is expected to join them on a two-and-a-half year deal, the sources claimed.
The Dervishes are yet to reach an agreement with Sion over the transfer fee but the matter should be resolved within the next few days.
Al-Hadari joined Sion in February 2008 without the consent of his former club Ahly as he apparently invoked article 17 of the FIFA regulations.
But he recently admitted that moving to Switzerland was a mistake and that he would welcome a sensational return to the Red Devils.
But Ahly made it clear that they won t sign Al-Hadari, who incurred the wrath of their supporters following his infamous transfer.
And now the 36-year-old has his heart set on a move to Ismaili, who is looking to replace Mohamed Sobhi after the latter made a series of mistakes this season.
The coastal club have already signed Iraqi keeper Nour Sabri, but are reluctant to register him as they await the imminent arrival of Al-Hadari.