Slaven Bilic has provided an update on in-demand West Brom centre-back Ahmed Hegazi.
The former West Ham manager told The Express and Star: ‘There has been interest in Ahmed from Saudi since I came to the club last season.
‘But like last year, he wants to stay here. He’s a good player, he’s playing and I’m glad he’s staying.’
A recent report from Middle Eastern news outlet Okaz revealed Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad were interested in signing the Egyptian defender.
The Saudi Arabian transfer window is open until November 12th, so the Baggies could still lose the 29-year-old and not even be able to sign a replacement.
While Bilic acknowledged such interest from Saudi Arabia, he appears to have put the matter to bed after confirming that Hegazi will stay.
It is vital for West Brom’s chances of survival that the No.26 remains at the Hawthorns.
While he is a good defender, he is also one of few players in Bilic’s squad to have Premier League experience, something that will presumably be vital if the Midlands-based side are to avoid the drop.
So far this term, Hegazi – who earns £26,500-a-week according to Spotrac – has only made one Premier League start due to injury.
However, his presence helped West Brom keep their first clean sheet of the season, as the Egyptian managed to shut out Burnley in the Baggies’ most recent outing.
There is still time for a Saudi Arabian side to swoop for Hegazi, although Bilic’s comments have poured cold water on the transfer saga.
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