Steve Bruce was not interested in keeping striker Marcus Bent after his loan spell from Charlton Athletic came to an end. This could open the way for the purchase of Egyptian Amr Zaki, though this is not for certain.

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"We need someone who is going to score us goals; a striker who can play off Heskey," said Bruce to the Daily Star after confirming Bent's exit.

He also confirmed that he will buy a striker this transfer window: "Hopefully we'll do some business soon."
Reports in England suggest Bruce may be steering away from Zaki, and turning his attention to Marseille striker Djibril Cisse. The Frenchman had a spell at Liverpool in England and Bruce is choosing between him and the relatively inexperienced Egyptian.

French sources, in the mean time, write that Cisse is closest to signing for Wigan, despite interest from Portsmouth and Tottenham. It is added that his family are keen to return to that part of England, the North-west. It is also thought that he rejected an offer from West Ham United due to the amount of strikers the club has. This may lure him to Wigan, who are in desperate need of front men.

The worry for Zaki may be his rather unprofessional nature. When Zamalek reject offers for him to become a professional, he returns it with unprofessionalism by missing trainings and so on. This was further confirmed by his attempts to terminate his contract at the club for lack of payment.