"We don't need to sign more right-backs. We've already signed three players to fill that position," Basri told FilGoal.com.

Middle East News Agency (MENA) said that Basri demanded Ittihad board to step up their efforts to sign Al-Shater.

The news came as a surprise to many as the Alexandria-based club signed three right-backs in Ahmed Adel, Ahmed Hossam and Adel Fathi.

Al-Shater, 31, was deemed surplus to requirements by Ahli coach Manuel Jose after a succession of injuries took its toll on his displays.

Al-Sayed Deal

Meanwhile, Basri has revealed that goalkeeper Nader Al-Sayed could be the last Egyptian to join Ittihad this summer.

"If we managed to reach an agreement with Al-Sayed over a possible move, we will not sign any other Egyptian in the close season."

"We will be focusing instead on trying to strengthen our frontline by signing a foreign player, who will probably be an African."

Basri is reshuffling his squad as he aims to help Ittihad improve on last season's tenth-place finish in the Egyptian League.