CAIRO: ENPPI ace Walid Soliman once again had his hope of joining either Ahly or Zamalek shattered as the petro side issued a hands-off warning.
The Egyptian international, who moved to ENPPI from Petrojet in the off season, was repeatedly approached by Ahly over the past year.
However, Petrojet prevented him from signing with the Red Devils. Instead, they allowed him to seal a deal with ENPPI — a team that also belongs to the Egyptian petroleum sector.
Soliman has been instrumental with ENPPI so far this term, which prompted Ahly to renew its interest in his services. Zamalek was reportedly in the hunt for the highly-rated schemer too.
The 25-year-old stated last weekend that he’s still willing to play for either team if he is traded, only to later watch ENPPI fend off his pursuers.
“Soliman will remain an ENPPI player till the expiration of his contract in the summer of 2013,” ENPPI football director Alaa Abdul-Sadek told FilGoal.com.
“I want the officials of Ahly and Zamalek to stay away from ENPPI’s players, especially Soliman.
“We are really upset by their intensive talks with him. It’s just inappropriate.”
Soliman said he was contacted by Zamalek football director Ibrahim Hassan three weeks ago, before the latter denied making overtures to him.
The sought-after player also revealed that former Ahly’s board member Mohamed Abdul-Wahab had opened negotiations with him.
Soliman had stints at Harras Hodoud, Gouna and Ahly Jeddah throughout his career.
