Agent: Zaki may stay in England

Latics boss Steve Bruce has confirmed they will not be taking up the option of making the Egypt international's one-year loan spell permanent for a number of reasons.

"Four Premier League clubs have made solid bids to land Zaki, they have all offered him higher wages than that he's paid at Wigan," Mohamed Saied told FilGoal.com.

He added: "Zaki called on Wigan's officials to increase his wage, but they turned him down by saying there is a maximum limit for players' salaries, hence he decided to depart."

However, Wigan insist it was they who pulled the plug on a deal for the player.

They have written to Egyptian club Zamalek to confirm their stance and are already looking at new targets.

"The writing has been on the wall for a while now, but it's a shame, it really is," said Bruce.

"There was no doubt Zaki had the world at his feet last October when he scored those two goals against Liverpool at Anfield. He had a wonderful chance over here but he was badly advised I think, he listened to the wrong people.

"It's a shame it's worked out this way, he set us on fire with those goals earlier in the season.

"But Zaki hasn't scored from open play since Liverpool. We've missed him in that respect, but there you go."