Zamalek board members are reportedly divided over whether to accept $6 million upfront for absent Brazilian winger Juan Bezerra.
Sports presenter Ahmed Shobeir reported the disagreement on ON Sport FM on Thursday as Bezerra continues to refuse to return to Cairo.
Board members agree that Zamalek hold a strong legal position because the 23-year-old remains under contract, Shobeir said. However, they differ over how the club should resolve the dispute.
Some directors reportedly believe the relationship has deteriorated beyond repair and that Bezerra would offer little value even if he returned. They favour selling him for $6 million paid in full to end the crisis.
The reported majority reject that proposal. They want Bezerra to resume training before Zamalek consider negotiating a sale through official club channels. According to Shobeir, that group would only discuss an offer worth substantially more than $6 million, according to Shobeir.
The White Knights club denied that they had agreed to sell Bezerra to UAE champions Shabab Al Ahli for $4 million.
Zamalek said reports of an agreement were unfounded and ordered Bezerra to return to training. They also stressed that he cannot leave without their approval because his contract runs for another three seasons.
The current $6 million figure first appeared during negotiations with Shabab Al Ahli earlier in August. Zamalek responded to the Emirati club’s July 28 proposal by demanding $6 million net in one payment, due upon completion of the transfer and delivery of the player’s international transfer certificate.
Zamalek also requested 20% of any future transfer fee and the right to match offers from Egyptian clubs if Shabab Al Ahli later decided to sell Bezerra.
Their counterproposal included another $1 million in bonuses tied to club and individual achievements.
The two clubs did not reach a final agreement. Zamalek subsequently closed negotiations and announced that the player was not for sale. Bezerra has not reported for club duties since the start of August. He also missed Zamalek’s opening two Egyptian Premier League matches.
The winger accused Zamalek of breaking a promise to allow him to leave if they received a suitable offer. He said the proposed transfer would have generated the largest sale in the club’s history and argued that the money could help the Cairo giants address their financial problems.
Zamalek denied that president Hussein Labib or any board member had promised to sell him. The club subsequently began documenting his absence and prepared a possible FIFA complaint.
Bezerra joined Zamalek from Ukrainian club Oleksandriya in August 2025 for €1.8 million.
He has scored eight goals and provided 12 assists in 44 appearances for the White Knights. He also helped them win the Egyptian Premier League last season.