Ramadan Sobhi says resuming European career a priority after loan extension

Ahly’s influential winger Ramadan Sobhi said resuming his European career is his priority after FIFA’s recent decision to prolong the current season owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

“I hope I return to play in Europe again after the end of the current season,” Sobhi told TEN TV channel late on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old winger, who is on a season-long loan at his boyhood club from English side Huddersfield Town, has been out of action since injuring a hamstring muscle in December.

After three months on the sidelines, Sobhi has rejoined the Reds’ trainings on 15 March but unfortunately he couldn’t appear in the pitch after the sudden suspension of all sports activities in Egypt due to the coronavirus.

Speculation was rife about Sobhi’s future with the Cairo giants after ending the loan spell, especially after his injury, but later on in March he said resuming his European career is his priority.

“I am fully recovered now and I am ready to play again once football activities resume,” the Pharaohs’ player said.

As the coronavirus has brought football to a standstill around the world, with domestic leagues put on hold and major tournaments, such as Euro 2020 and the Copa America, postponed until next year, the world football governing body decided to extend the current season.

On Tuesday, FIFA recommended extending players’ contracts which were due to end in June and said it will allow transfer windows to be moved to allow for extensions to the current European season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I don’t know if there are talks between Ahly and Huddersfield at the time being, but I am here until the end of the season after FIFA’s decision to extend the loan deals,” Sobhi explained.

“I didn’t think about my future yet. I didn’t decide my next step.

“Ahly is a big club and I don’t want anyone to be angry because returning to Europe is my main target, whether to England or the Italian league,” he concluded.

Sobhi has been a revelation in the early stages of the season, scoring five goals in nine appearances as Ahly made an explosive start to the defence of their Egyptian Premier League title.

Holders Ahly are at the top of the league table with 49 points, 16 points ahead of second-place Arab Contractors.