Victor Vidueira writes about Vigo's sheer enthusiasm at the prospect of Ahmed Hossam's return to the club, but assesses the likelihood of a move taking place. It may all come down to Tottenham Hotspur's interest in Celta star Nene, although there appear to be other obstacles in the way.

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Mido celebrates qualification to Champions League with Celta

Yesterday, 18th January, all of Vigo's newspapers tell the same news in their Sports section: "Celta are trying to sign Mido again."

A Lasting Effect:

Since the great and talented Egyptian player left Vigo three years ago, one of the biggest wishes of the Sport Manager staff of Celta de Vigo has been to recover "one of the players that has left the biggest marks and memories ever on Celta's supporters."

Many times during the years since then, Celta have tried to sign Mido, but Celta's problems with money in the past were a barrier, and the budget was never enough. Last summer Celta tried again, but it was not possible as usual.

In the Spanish League, from when the competition starts, you only can sign new players if you have an injured player for the whole season, or in an official window for transfers. This window will of course finish on the 31st January this season. And Celta are trying to sign more players for their team.

"Mido left one of the biggest marks and memories ever on Celta's supporters..."
Mido is not playing at Spurs as much as he wants, and would see nicely the chance of going to Vigo again. He would agree with this option, it is commonly thought. Mido has friendly and grateful memories of Celta; it is possibly the last team where he felt himself a really good impression. Many people say that Mido never adjusted himself better with any other football club, its players and its supporters.

Problem Solved?:

But there are two problems. Firstly: Mido earns €2 millon free of tax each season, and this money is too much for Celta currently. Celta arranged to cope with his money problems over the last years, but now in Spain all the teams have got less money, and most of them have big debts, and giving this sort of money to only one player would create problems with other members of team. Secondly, Celta don't have a free place for one more foreign player on the roster.

This last problem has two possible solutions. Brazilian players Nené and Iriney are finishing their legal application to have a European Union passport. And Celta would have two foreigners' places free then.

And at this moment, Spurs appeared on the scene. Last Sunday, Tottenham's Sport Manager and other Spurs staff were at the Celta Stadium "Balaidos" starting a negotiation because the English club are very interesed in signing Brazilian player Nené. They offered €10 million to Celta!

But they have a problem in signing Nené themselves. The Brazilian player doesn't play for the Brazilian national team, and because of English rules, he needs to have a European passport.

At this point, if Nené successfully receives the passport before the 31st, Celta would have a foreigner player's space free (or two, with Iriney). It seems that if he has this passport however, that he will be transferred to Tottenham. Should this take place, Celta may just find funds to bring Mido in.

"There is no player that would give supporters more excitement than Mido..."

But Mido's money is still a problem. Félix Carnero, Celta's Sport Manager, the man that though of Mido's loan many years ago, said yesterday that they are trying it again, but all these conditions make the situation very difficult.

But this will not stop Celta, who still dream to see Mido in the blue Celta shirt once again.

Ups and Downs at Vigo:

Since Mido left Vigo, a lot of things changed for Celta. The club has played in one Champions League as well as getting relegated to the Spanish Second Division with a great team and great problem between them. Celta returned to the Spanish "La Liga" in only a few months, and only one season later were playing European competitions again, qualifying to the UEFA Cup.

Most of the players are new. The president is also new. The managing style is new. Now, there are not as many big money problems, but Celta never was a rich team that liked to spend crazily.

"Mido was right at home in Vigo..."

Now, the coach is Fernando V?zquez. He refused being in the Manchester United staff to choose the Celta job, and returned the club to La Liga and the UEFA Cup in a short time. He still has some players from the past, like goalkeeper Pinto (best goalkeeper in Spanish League last season), Spanish international defender Angel, the pearl Borja Oubi?a who started to play in the Spanish national team, Gustavo Lopez; and many new players like Argentinian defenders Lequi and Placente, Brasilians Nené and Fernando Baiano, Uruguay's Canobbio and Pablo Garcia, Dutch Daniel De Ridder (formerly of Ajax), and well-known Spanish youngsters Guayre and Larena.

They are doing a good season in the UEFA Cup, and a great season in the La Liga playing away of home. Celta are one of the best two teams in Spain playing away; but they have a problem at home, and have only won one game in the first half-season. If they do things better at Balaidos Statium, Celta would do a greatly in the second half of the season, and play in Europe again next season. Celta won in very difficult stadiums like Deportivo's and Real Madrid's, and only need to be a little lucky at home. The team is still called one of the three Spanish teams that plays better with the ball at their foot.

Celta need one more good striker, and need a big name to excite their supporters. What will happen? The next days, until the end of the month, will give us the answer. Félix Carnero said that it's very difficult to sign Mido.

But there's no player that would give the Vigo supporters more excitement than Mido. The Pharaoh that was for a little time, right at home in Vigo.

More soon on EgyptianPlayers.com...

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• Download Mido's goals with Ajax, Celta Vigo and Marseille from multimedia page
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