CAIRO: Ismaili goalie Essam Al-Hadari is still determined to move to Merreikh in spite of the Dervishes refusal to accept the Sudanese side s offer.
Merreikh offered to acquire the Egyptian international s services for $1 million, but Ismaili turned them down because the bid was not “financially rewarding .
However, Al-Hadari reiterated that he would like to move away from the coastal outfit, saying he can t stay put any longer.
I m really flattered that Ismaili s board is keen to keep hold of me, but they need to understand that I have to leave, the 36-year-old told his personal site.
Under the current circumstances, I can t carry on my career at Ismaili, and I have already informed (club president) Nasr Aboul-Hassan of my intent to depart.
He once promised me that Ismaili would let me go if I wanted to leave, now I urge him to live up to his word.
The three-time Egyptian champions first considered selling Al-Hadari to generate some cash after suffering a financial plight.
Ismaili has reportedly put a $3-million price tag on the former Ahly custodian s head, and they will give him nod to leave should any club meet their financial demands.
On the other hand, FilGoal.com has learnt that Egyptian Football Association president Samir Zaher called on Aboul-Hassan to allow the Egypt first-choice goalkeeper to join Merreikh.
Zaher interfered as he believes Al-Hadari might be distracted by his disagreement with Ismaili ahead of this month s African Cup of Nations (CAN).
Al-Hadari, who is widely considered as the best keeper in the country s history, was landed at Ismaili in the close season after ending a 17-month spell with Swiss team Sion.
He relatively managed to maintain his assured displays between the sticks this season, but expressed his concerns over Ismaili s unconvincing start to the season.
Al-Hadari was initially handed a four-month ban and a ?900,000 fine for breaching his contract with Ahly in February 2008 to move to Sion, few days after helping Egypt win a record-extending sixth CAN title.
The sanction was later frozen by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upon his appeal. A final verdict is yet to be returned.
