The Iraqi guardian was snapped up by the Dervishes weeks ago, and was due to join his new club by next year.

"Ahli's officials contacted Sabri over a potential move," Shiha told FilGoal.com on Saturday.

Ismaili currently have Iraqi striker Mostafa Karim and Guinean midfielder Samuel Johnson as foreigners in their first-team squad.

Upon signing Sabri, Nigerian player John Jambo and Mozambique's Dario Khan, the coastal club now have five non-Egyptian players at their disposal.

The club board should decide soon whom they would include in the first-team roster.

Rumor has it that Ismaili are going to give Karim, Johnson and Khan senior-team berths, and transfer-list Sabri and Jambo.