The Belgian side are still desperate to sign the talented 24-year-old despite having a €2 million offer for him turned down by Zamalek in June.

They have now opted to take a legal action against Zamalek for refusing to let him leave after the player apparently invoked article 17 of FIFA's regulations.

The article states that players who have already served three years of their existing contract - or two years in the case of players aged 28 or over - could buy out the remaining time of their deal.

"We have received a letter from Anderlecht asking for the ITC of Shikabala," Egyptian FA board member Magdi Abdul-Ghani said.

"The letter includes the four-year contract that Shikabala signed with Anderlecht. We are currently reviewing the situation."

Zamalek said they were looking to extend Shikabala's contract despite his recent troubles with the club.

He went AWOL during their pre-season training camp after being reportedly insulted by coach Hossam Hassan during a friendly game.

He was also involved in a heated exchange with Zamalek fans during a training session last month but was still included in their starting line-up for the 2-2 draw at Harras Hodoud in the Egyptian Premier League opener.

Shikabala, who missed Egypt's 6-3 friendly victory over DR Congo due to a groin injury, remains an integral member of Zamalek's squad but Anderlecht seem determined to snap him up.

"The player will remain with us. He still has one year to run on his contract," Zamalek football director Ibrahim Hassan said.

"I'm surprised at the letter Anderlecht sent to the Egyptian FA because Shikabala insisted he wants to stay with Zamalek."

The media-shy winger is yet to comment on the matter that is expected to grab headlines in the coming days.