Aston Villa to unearth next Mohamed Salah as Omar Khedr heads to Bodymoor Heath after Nassef Sawiris deal
Aston Villa could soon unearth the “next“ Mohamed Salah in Egyptian youngster Omar Khedr, who recently spent time with the Villa academy at Bodymoor Heath.
The trial comes after the club recently signed a partnership with Egyptian side ZED FC, which follows the link-up with Portuguese outfit Vitoria Sport Clube earlier this year.
Khedr was one of four ZED FC’s under-18s to have spent time showcasing his skills at Bodymoor Heath.
Commenting on the agreement with ZED FC which was signed earlier this month, Aston Villa Chairman Nassef Sawiris told the club’s official website: “I am very proud to be part of the announcement for the three-way collaboration between ZED’s Academy, Vitória Sport Clube and Aston Villa.
“This three-way partnership should benefit all three parties and create a clear roadmap for talented young Egyptian players to integrate into the global sports system.”
And the Birmingham Mail reports that the “roadmap has already begun” with the trials of the four ZED FC youngsters, including “highly-rated left winger Omar Khedr. Can Villa find and develop the next Mo Salah? Let’s hope so!”
As reported by Ahmed Khaled, Khedr was pictured in high spirits in the Midlands alongside first-team stars Philippe Coutinho and Douglas Luiz, with Khaled adding that Zed FC also sent Khedr’s fellow 2006-born players Abdelmonem Tamer, Marwan Mahmoud and Mostafa Okasha to Bodymoor Heath.
Current Villa loanees Tim Iroegbunam, Cameron Archer, and Jaden Philogene-Bidace all came through the ranks at the club’s academy, with midfield star Jacob Ramsey going a step further by shining for the first team.
The link up with ZED FC is certainly understandable given that the club is owned by Sawiris’ brother Naguib and his son Onsi, with the owners hopeful that a successful partnership can be forged with the Premier League side.
Liverpool icon Salah may have had some initial struggles in England during his brief time at Chelsea, but he has made sure that time in his career has long been forgotten with his stunning feats for the Reds in recent years.
Khedr, therefore, has the perfect role model to look up to should he make a switch to Villa Park, with a trip to Merseyside also set to be an option if the youngster ever needed some advice from his compatriot.
In other Aston Villa news, the club have been urged to hand one star a new contract following his stunning display in the recent league clash with Leicester.