LONDON (AP) - With the future of Jonny Evans still unclear, West Bromwich Albion moved to strengthen its defense by signing Egypt center back Ali Gabr on Monday to join international teammate Ahmed Hegazi at the Premier League team.
Gabr joined on loan from Zamalek FC until the end of the season, after which West Brom has the option to make the transfer permanent.
Gabr and Hegazi are central defensive partners for Egypt, which will play at the World Cup in Russia.
“He’s a player that we first identified at the African Cup of Nations where he played alongside Ahmed,” West Brom technical director Nick Hammond said.
West Brom manager Alan Pardew has acknowledged that Evans could leave in the January transfer window if the club receives a good enough offer. Evans has been heavily linked with Arsenal.
With three days left in the transfer window, West Ham sold Diafra Sakho to Rennes to end the striker’s 3 1/2-year spell at the London club. Sakho is returning to France, having joined West Ham from Metz.
The Senegal striker had started only two Premier League matches since the start of last season.
Brighton was another team reshaping its attack, signing Leonardo Ulloa on loan from Leicester for a second stint at the club.
The Argentine striker scored 26 goals in 58 matches for Brighton in an 18-month spell following a move from Almeria in Spain in 2013. He moved to Leicester in a club-record deal the following year.
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