Key reasons why Egyptian Premier League giants Zamalek SC will no longer sign Bafana Bafana vice-captain Percy Tau have now reportedly come to light.
Tau has been the talk of the town since parting ways with Qatar Stars League side Qatar SC recently. He joined the Middle East club from African giants Al Ahly in January 2025, but after just six months, his contract was not renewed.
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In recent weeks, speculation mounted that the eMalahleni-born star could return to Egypt to join the White Knights, as the team was reportedly exploring the possibility of securing his signature.
However, during an appearance on Marawa Sports Worldwide, Tau clarified that he has not received any formal offers from any club, including South African giants Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, both of whom were also linked to him.
While initial reports suggested Zamalek had a strong interest in the 31-year-old winger, fresh claims now indicate the Egyptian club has opted not to move forward due to concerns over both his age and salary issues.
According to Elwatan News, Zamalek's decision was influenced primarily by Tau's age and the substantial wages he previously earned at Al Ahly.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns attacker reportedly took home around $1.2 million (R23 million) annually and approximately $100,000 (R2 million) per month, figures that Zamalek deem unsustainable under their budget.
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Furthermore, the report has highlighted that Zamalek’s management is now prioritizing the recruitment of younger, high-potential foreign players, which supports the decision to close the deal to sign Tau.
For now, Tau remains a free agent and has expressed openness to negotiating reasonable terms with any interested club willing to sign him.
Photo Cred: Percy Tau IG
