Jewell: Ghaly wants PL stay April 11 2008
Derby boss Paul Jewell admits on-loan midfielder Hossam Ghaly would prefer to remain in the top flight next season.
The Egyptian, who has been on loan from Tottenham since January, has impressed for the relegated Rams in recent weeks and Jewell has made no secret of his desire to keep hold of the player for next term.
Despite having two years remaining on his contract at White Hart Lane, Ghaly has already been told he has no future there under Juande Ramos.
Jewell, speaking ahead of Saturday's Pride Park clash with Aston Villa, confirmed he has already held discussions with the ex-Feyenoord player.
The County manager revealed the 26-year-old stated his desire to remain in the Premier League - but would be "very happy" to play for the Rams in the Championship next season should a move fail to materialise.
"I have spoken to Hossam Ghaly and quite understandably Hossam wants to stay in the Premier League," Jewell said.
"But if there aren't any Premier League clubs who take him then he is very happy to come to Derby.
"The way he has played in the last couple of games has been terrific.
"He is on loan until the end of the season and he wants to keep his options open, I don't blame him for that.
"He has shown Premier League quality in the last three or four matches. He lost his way a little bit at Tottenham and at least we have given him a vehicle to show what he can do.
"Hopefully we will be in the running to get him because we would like to keep him, there's no doubt about that."
However, Jewell concedes there will be a cut-off point for any deal as he goes about rebuilding the squad into his own mould for life in the Championship.
"I'm not going to wait forever," he added.
"I spoke to Hoss about that, he's aware of the situation. We don't even know if we can do a deal with Tottenham yet.
"All I wanted to do was say to the boy 'are you willing to come to play for Derby in the Championship?'
"The answer was yes, but understandably, if he can stay in the Premier League - and that's no slight on Derby because he knows what a big club this is and the future is bright - he wants to stay at the highest level.
"I would be disappointed if any players didn't want to play at the highest level."
As for possible departures from the club, Jewell insists his phone has remained quiet to date.
"There is always going to be talk about players moving on. Talk is cheap until someone picks the phone up or speaks to the chairman about a player," he added.
"I haven't had anyone say 'listen, can we do a deal for x, y or z next season?' That might happen in the summer, it might not."