{"id":570486,"date":"2020-10-25T16:43:05","date_gmt":"2020-10-25T20:43:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=570486"},"modified":"2020-12-21T20:02:44","modified_gmt":"2020-12-22T01:02:44","slug":"report-ahmed-hegazi-to-leave-west-bromwich-albion-for-saudi-arabia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/10\/25\/report-ahmed-hegazi-to-leave-west-bromwich-albion-for-saudi-arabia\/","title":{"rendered":"REPORT: Ahmed Hegazi to Leave West Bromwich Albion for Saudi Arabia"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ahmed Hegazi is expected to leave West Bromwich Albion<\/a> in the coming days, according to Steve Madeley of The Athletic<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Egyptian centre-back is expected to complete a move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad.<\/p>\n

Ahmed Hegazi Set to Leave West Bromwich Albion<\/h2>\n

A Fresh Start<\/h3>\n

Hegazi was close to sealing a move away from The Hawthorns in January. The Albion defender was due to complete a move to Saudi Arabia, but a deal could not be concluded.<\/p>\n

However, according to the report, Hegazi remains keen on a move to the Middle East. The 29-year-old has made just one appearance so far this season, and is no longer first-choice centre-back under Slaven Bilic.<\/p>\n

The Egyptian has struggled for regular game time under the Croatian during his tenure with the Baggies. Injuries saw him slip down the pecking order, meaning he made just 18 appearances in all competitions during the 2019\/20 campaign.<\/p>\n

Despite the Baggies’ poor start to the season, Hegazi is unlikely to play a major part in their quest for Premier League survival. Branislav Ivanovic is likely to be first-choice centre-back, with either Kyle Bartley or Semi Ajayi slotting in next to the Serbian.<\/p>\n

Strange Timing?<\/h3>\n

Speaking recently about the possibility of the Egyptian departing, Bilic insisted that he would not be leaving The Hawthorns.<\/p>\n

He said<\/a>: “There has been an interest in Ahmed from Saudi since I came to the club last season.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a good player, and he\u2019s from Egypt which makes him a bit more interesting for the clubs from Saudi.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut like last year, he wants to stay here. He\u2019s a good player, he\u2019s playing and I\u2019m glad he\u2019s staying.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t want him to go last year. This season I like him, he\u2019s a top professional.”<\/p>\n

The Baggies travel to Brighton & Hove Albion<\/a> looking to earn their first three points of the season on Monday.<\/p>\n

Main Photo
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>