Wigan Athletic reportedly turned down by 43-cap international goalkeeper | OneFootball

Experienced Egypt international goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy has turned down a move to Championship strugglers Wigan Athletic, according to reports in his native country.

Sayed Abdel-Hafiz, who is a director at El Shenawy’s club side Al-Ahly, revealed to Ahram Online that the Latics, plus Cristiano Ronaldo’s new Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, had both put in offers for the 34-year-old.

However, El Shenawy, who captains his club and has picked up 43 caps for his national side over the course of his career, has opted instead to remain at Egyptian football’s winning-most outfit.

El Shenawy is under contract at his current side until the summer of 2025, yet Wigan have apparently tried to tempt him into a move to England in the latter stages of his career.

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He is not the first Egyptian goalkeeper in recent times that Athletic have tried to bring to the DW Stadium, as they failed in an attempt over the summer to sign Enppi stopper Mahmoud Gad, who is 10 years El Shenawy’s junior.

The Verdict

It isn’t a shock to see Wigan after a goalkeeper as their current options hardly inspire much confidence.

Ben Amos was the club’s first-choice at the start of the season and then he was replaced by Jamie Jones, and in recent weeks both stoppers have had their chances in-between the sticks.

A cynical person would suggest that both are perhaps League One level goalkeepers and it is an area of the pitch that the club could improve, and considering the club tried to sign Gad a few months ago, Wigan clearly have a watchful eye over Egyptian football.

El Shenawy seems to be an experienced stopper and due to his status as an international regular for his country, he would have obtained a work permit if he did accept Wigan’s proposal.

It looks as though the Latics will have to move onto others though in their attempts to strengthen their goalkeeping department.