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Hassan to EP: “On The Road To Anderlecht!”

Date: 18-4-2006
Wrote by: EP's reporter in Turkey Ali AVCI

EXCLUSIVE: Egyptian star Ahmed Hassan spoke to EP on Monday afternoon and revealed that he is close to join the Belgian side, Anderlecht.

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The African Cup of Nations Player of the Tournament will be a free agent in a few weeks and many clubs have shown an interest in him. EgyptianPlayers.com called the star player and asked him several questions about his possible move...

EP: Hi Ahmed Hassan. How are you?

Ahmed Hassan: “Thank you. I’m fine.”

EP: We want to know the latest news from you about your possible transfer. Do you want to share your plans?

Ahmed Hassan: “Yes. I’ll sign with Belgian club Anderlecht in two weeks. They brought me the best offer and they want me so much. We do however have some little problems.”

EP: Do you want Anderlecht?

Ahmed Hassan: “Anderlecht is a strong club in Belgium. They’ll be in the Champions League and I’m a professional. That means I’ll sign for the club that brings the best offer.”

EP: What do you know about them?

Ahmed Hassan: “They came to watch me twice. As you know I played very good football mashallah, in the Malatya home game and scored a goal in that match. I played on the right wing, in the centre and also the left wing. This surprised the Belgians very much and they started to become more serious.”

EP: Anderlecht were scouting Cagdas according to Turkish media. Will you sign together?

Ahmed Hassan: “I don’t know about Cagdas. The Belgians offered me an official contract and invited me to Brussels. But this was impossible during Besiktas’ hard period of matches, and I sent my agent there. My Egyptian agent talked with them in Egypt and went to Belgium to see their conditions. My agent negotiated with them and told me the club’s facilities. I’m happy with their interest. I think the transfer will be clear next week. I’ll sign if they accept my last wishes. They are financial. But I am a professional and I won’t decide until the end.”

EP: Do you have other options? Should we think of you in the Anderlecht shirt now?

Ahmed Hassan: “No, I have interest from England; you know that this is my dream. But they are waiting until the transfer period. Maybe they’ll come at the end of the season. I have patience. I also have a very strong option from Qatar. It is the best team of Qatar but I don’t want to put that as first choice. I prefer Europe or to continue in Turkey.”


EP: The Besiktas option? Tigana doesn’t want to sign a new contract with you?

Ahmed Hassan: “I love playing for this club. But I am professional and no-one came to me for a new contract. I heard Tigana admired my performances but they didn’t ask me to stay. What can I do? I have an advantage being a free player and have to select one offer. Besiktas didn’t come to me with a new contract. It’s not my fault if I leave.”

EP: Besiktas has a cup target. It seems you’ll play a final against the strong Fenerbahce…

Ahmed Hassan: “Yes. This is my last target here. I’ll do my best in this match. It is not about playing for a contract. I don’t know whether I can stay at Besiktas or not, but I’ll do the best performance possible to win the [Turkish] Cup. My club deserve it and I’ll give my all to win it. I will forget my contract and be motivated for the final only.”

EP: There is a very hot title race between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce. Which one is your favourite in the league Championship?

Ahmed Hassan: “It is not right to choose one. They’ll play a derby match this week and we’ll see what happens. Galatasaray have an advantage after Fenerbahce’s defeat against Vestel Manisa. But Fenerbahce are strong and they’ll face the opponents in their home venue. The better one will take the league.”

EP: We wish you a good future and a happy transfer season. It seems Anderlecht leads the transfer race but you have different options in the transfer market. Maybe Serhat Akin (Turkish striker of Les Mauves) will be a friend there who can help you adapt.

Ahmed Hassan: “Yes. I can say Anderlecht want me very much, and their manager is very keen on this transfer. There may be other options and I don’t have a certain decision now, but I’ll do the professional think and decide on the best transfer offer. As I said before, I may sign for this club if they accept my last financial conditions. This is my last big transfer and I will wait and decide on the right choice, and sign if I have trust in it.”

EP Comment:

RSC Anderlecht’s management may be thinking of giving veteran Swede Par Zetterberg’s role to Ahmed Hassan.

EgyptianPlayers.com will follow the next destination of Hassan, as he described in the interview as England, Belgium or Turkey…