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Could this actually be a case of a player losing interest in an unfashionable club after attracting interest from wealthier suitors, as many have suggested?

Khaled Refaat, the marketing director at Zamalek and the man who deals with the club's international transfers, admits there has been interest in Zaki from other clubs.

"In January there was an inquiry from Manchester City," he told me. "A representative of the new management of the club spoke to one of Zamalek's board members via phone and email conversations.

"We weren't interested in selling him at that time, so there was no further contact. But we have had two or three other proposals, from both England and other countries."

Tottenham are .

Zaki made a sensational start at Wigan, hitting seven goals in his first eight league games, and Bruce quoted Fifa statistics that ranked him as the best striker in the world.

The Geordie manager is now describing him as the following his fourth failure to report back from international duty on time.

Although Bruce has spoken regularly to Zaki's agent, Nader Shawky, he is yet to hear from the player himself.

And it's not only Zaki's timekeeping that makes you wonder whether he is worthy of interest from the biggest clubs in Europe.

His club form has also deserted him since the turn of the year. Gone is the explosive, predatory forward who terrorised defences at the start of the season, replaced by a hesitant and increasingly peripheral player.

Zaki hasn't scored in the Premier League since and his last league goal in open play was a in the 3-2 defeat at Liverpool on 18 October.

Interestingly, Refaat suggests Zaki's behaviour can be attributed to a lack of confidence rather than arrogance.

"We were in touch with Wigan last week about how we might help to improve his confidence and form," he said.

"Maybe there was too much of a focus on him after his great start to the season.

"Everyone was expecting him to score a goal a game and it put him under big pressure."

And while Refaat admits Zaki is wrong not to have returned to Wigan, he is critical of Bruce for publicly rounding on the player.

"I don't think attacking him in the media will help," he said. "It will only create a bigger gap between the player and the club.

"It would have been better to fine him and keep it within the club."

Refaat also confirms that the player is keen to stay at the club. "Amr is still a Wigan player and wants to stay with them beyond the end of the season, that is his first choice."

Whether they will still want him is another question.

If you're a Wigan fan, would you like to keep him? If your allegiance is to another club, would you like to see the "Egyptian Gladiator" in your side next season?