The Egypt midfielder may end up playing for the Cairo giants, who were given the all-clear to sign Abd-Rabou from Strasbourg last year.

The transfer was hampered by Ismaili's insistence to hold onto the player as they believed they had permanently signed him from Strasbourg.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled in favor of Strasbourg, who firmly insisted that Ismaili failed to meet the deadline for turning the player's loan deal into a permanent one.

The new ruling means that Strasbourg's old agreement with Ahli may resurge.

However, the case is yet to be settled after Abd-Rabou handed in a request to annul his contract with Strasbourg.

And Ahli are unwilling to interfere until the matter is over, according to the club's treasurer.

"We are not a party in this conflict. Ismaili have the right to exert efforts to keep their player," Bagnid told Ahli official website.

"On the other hand, Strasbourg also have to preserve their rights. Ahli won't be involved unless the case is settled."