Ahli Jeddah’s officials had renewed their interest in Barakat, who played for the Jeddah powerhouse in the 2002-2003 season, early in November, but reconsidered due to the player’s recurring injuries, the Saudi paper reported.

The Egyptian international has traveled to Germany to undergo medical examinations due to a nagging knee injury that could rule him out for four months, the paper claimed.

Barakat was Ahli Jeddah’s second choice after failing to reach an agreement with CS Sfaxien to sign the mercurial Abdelkrim Nafti who is currently being targeted by several European sides.

Ahli Jeddah are still on the lookout for a solid playmaker to replace Serbian midfielder Darko.