Wigan boss Steve Bruce admits he regrets not signing hotshot Amr Zaki on a permanent deal.
Latics boss knows he faces a fight to keep striker
Wigan boss Steve Bruce admits he regrets not signing hotshot Amr Zaki on a permanent deal after conceding he faces a fight to keep the Egyptian at the JJB Stadium.
Zaki has enjoyed a sensational start to life in the Premier League and is currently top scorer with seven goals to his name.
The 25-year-old joined Wigan in the summer on a season-long loan from Egyptian side Zamalek after a long protracted pursuit by Bruce.
Bruce revealed a fee of £7.25million was agreed but he felt a permanent deal would be 'a risk'.
A number of other clubs are believed to be waiting in the wings to sign the powerful front man, but Bruce insists Zaki will be going nowhere in January and will remain at Wigan until the end of the season at least.
"I want to put the record straight because, at the minute, everyone wants a piece of the fellow. The truth of the matter is he's on loan with us until June. That's a fact," Bruce told
The Guardian.
"Over the next few weeks, or however long it takes, we will try and open negotiations with Zamalek and do everything in our power to try and make sure he stays here.
"Zamalek were hoping, and that's why they took the deal, that he would do well. Obviously, the better he does, the bigger the fee. He's our player, so we're in the driving seat.
No first refusal
"We haven't got first refusal on anything. But we have got to see if we can agree a transfer fee with Zamalek.
"Of course, with hindsight, it would have been nice for him to have been ours. But we have still got a chance - that is the most important thing - and we will do our utmost."
