Abd-Rabou, who lately announced that he signed for Ahli, has been subject to a transfer saga involving Strasbourg, Ismaili, Ahli and Zamalek, and Abou-Mosallam revealed the French side's reasons to axe Ismaili from the race.

"I have spoken with one of the club's officials and he confirmed the Strasbourg’s refusal to sell Abd-Rabou to Ismaili after the latter's officials failed to pay on time," Abou-Mosallam told Filgoal.com exclusively.

Strasbourg chairman Philippe Ginestet was surprised and totally dismissed Ismaili president Yehia Al-Koumi's offer to pay the sum in the form of installments.

"The board was completely angry with Ismaili's actions and they decided to give Ahli or Zamalek the upper hand to sign Abd-Rabou," Abou-Mosallam added.

The former Ahli winger ruled out recent claims by Al-Koumi and football director Sayed Abdul-Razek, saying that the fee was delivered and that Abd-Rabou will stay at Ismailia.

"Ismaili's claims that Abd-Rabou should play for them next season are not true, I am certain he will be joining a new club soon because Strasbourg have not received his transfer fees from Ismaili," concluded Abou-Mosallam.

Unlike Abou-Mosallam, Abd-Rabou failed to break into Strasbourg's starting eleven and ended up spending last season on loan to the Dervishes.