STARS IN EUROPE - EGYPT - Omar Gaber aims to emulate success of Salah and Elneny
Defender Omar Gaber aims to emulate the success of Salah and Elneny
Omar Gaber hopes his planned move from Zamalek to Basel will boost his career just as it did for fellow Egyptians Mohamed Salah and Mohamed Elneny.
Salah and Elneny joined the Swiss club from Egypt's El Mokawloon and went on to secure moves to big European clubs.
"Salah assured me many English and German sides watch the Swiss league and that will give me a good chance to make a big move," Gaber told BBC Sport.
The Egyptian international, 24, is undergoing medicals at Basel this week.
He revealed that the advice of Salah and Elneny convinced him it was the right decision to move to the Swiss side, who have just secured their seventh consecutive league title.
"Salah talked with me before I travelled to Switzerland and he gave me some advice - I really appreciated that from him," Gaber said,
"He asked me to think only about football and do my best.
He told me that life in Switzerland is not tough and said I will not take a long time to adapt to the atmosphere there.
"He even suggested I should wear his shirt number there -22 - but Basel told me I will wear number 4."
'One of the best players I have worked with'
Salah played 47 times for Basel between 2012 and 2014, scoring nine times.
He joined English Premier League side Chelsea in 2014.
Although he struggled to secure a regular first-team place at the Blues, he secured a transfer to Italian giants Roma in 2015, via a loan move to Fiorentina, and is flourishing at the Giallorossi.
Elneny, too, was able to use his time at Basel to help him earn a move to the Premier League, and he has made a solid start to his career at Arsenal, where he has been since January.
"He also talked to me and told me to work hard.
Elneny said that is the only way to make a big name for myself at Basel," Gaber added.
Gaber also has the support of former Zamalek coach Mido, who rates the right-back as "one of the best players I have worked with".
"I'm sure he will succeed, and Basel will not regret signing him," added the former Tottenham striker.
Egypt
Switzerland