Premier League strugglers Burnley and Sheffield United are considering a move to bring former West Brom defender Ahmed Hegazy back to England from Saudi Arabian champions Al-Ittihad.
Both mired in the relegation zone with one win apiece and 66 goals conceded between them, the January transfer window is already starting to feel like something of a lifeline for two clubs staring down the barrel of an immediate return to the Championship.
Whether Ahmed Hegazy is capable of plugging the holes in the hull at Burnley at Sheffield United, however, remains to be seen. Such a challenge may be beyond a 32-year-old centre-half bouncing back from the third ACL injury of his career, though Hegazy’s impressive spell at West Bromwich Albion should work in his favour should he look to secure a return to Britain.
Burnley and Sheffield United eye Ahmed Hegazy
According to TEAMtalk, Hegazy could be available on a free in January. He is out of favour at Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad. Burnley and Sheffield United are watching developments closely. As are Middlesbrough and Cardiff City, two clubs milling around the play-offs in the division below.
Hegazy, at his best, is a 6ft 4ins giant of a defender. A major presence in both boxes, the one-time Fiorentina man was one of the most consistent members of the West Brom squad during a period of instability at the Hawthorns.
A move to Burnley would see Hegazy reunite with Jay Rodriguez, his former Baggies team-mate.
“He’s fit, strong, great on the ball and he’s really strong in the air,” The Clarets number nine said a couple of years back. “We’ve worked on that and it paid off.
“He’s settled in really well and done well in pre-season. He showed again how well he’s done.”
‘Amazing’
Ex-West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster, meanwhile, was full of praise for the way Hegazy adapted to life in English football following his arrival in 2017 (Daily Star).
“He’s done amazing,” Foster told the Express and Star. “Nobody really knew too much about him when he came. But, from his first game, he took to it so easy, he looked so comfy.
“To slot into the team in the Premier League as a big centre-back like he is, you think he might be limited with this and that, but he’s got most of the attributes needed. He’s just slotted in so quickly.”
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