Zamalek and Juan Bezerra are in a dispute over his potential move to Shabab Al Ahli, with the winger alleging a broken sale agreement.
Bezerra issued a statement directly to Zamalek supporters on Thursday, without the involvement of his lawyer or media team.
The Brazilian winger said he rejected significant offers late last year because he wanted to help Zamalek win their first Egyptian Premier League title in four seasons.
“The club promised me and my father more than once that it would agree to sell me,” Bezerra said, adding that Zamalek had set an acceptable price and subsequently received an offer that would have made him the most expensive outgoing transfer in the club’s history.
However, the winger accused the board of withdrawing from the alleged agreement.
“This is not the first time that agreements have not been respected, but this time I will not accept it,” he said.
Bezerra argued that the transfer would also help Zamalek address their financial difficulties and prevent other foreign players from experiencing the problems he said he had faced.
The Cairo giants responded hours later by closing speculation over Bezerra’s departure and ordering him to return to Cairo. The club said neither president Hussein Labib nor any board member had promised the player that he could leave this summer.
Zamalek added that Juan Bezerra should identify the person who allegedly made said commitment. Zamalek also said they could not be forced to sell any player, particularly one absent from pre-season training.
Bezerra remains under contract until June 2029. Zamalek warned that they would apply their internal disciplinary rules and take the measures available under his contract unless he returned immediately.
A leaked letter subsequently showed that Zamalek had previously informed Shabab Al Ahli that they were prepared to consider a permanent transfer under specified financial conditions.
Club sources confirmed the letter’s authenticity and said Zamalek had requested $6 million paid up front, alongside a further $1 million in add-ons. The letter was sent in response to a formal Shabab Al Ahli proposal dated July 28.
However, a Zamalek source said the document represented the club’s earlier negotiating position rather than its final decision.
“The club has now decided definitively not to sell the player,” the source said. “The file is closed, and the player has no option but to return.”
KingFut reported earlier this week that the winger had asked Zamalek to discuss Shabab Al Ahli’s approach.
Reports placed the Emirati club’s opening proposal between $3 million and $3.5 million, while Zamalek’s valuation ranged from $6 million to $7 million.