The Cairo side first had an EGP two-million bid rejected by the Dervishes, who put a five-million price tag on the Egypt defender's head.

Zamalek lodged an improved bid for Salem later but Ismaili once again refused it.

The 30-year-old, whose contract at the coastal club runs out by the end of the season, is also targeted by Zamalek's arch-rivals Ahli.