Emad Moteab has scored 22 goals in 40 games for Egypt (Getty)

Bristol City have refused to comment on reports in Africa that they have struck a deal to sign Egyptian international Emad Moteab from Al Ahly.

Moteab's agent claims Ahly have agreed to receive a �1.5m transfer fee from City in two instalments.

But City manager Gary Johnson told BBC Radio Bristol: "If I was or wasn't interested I couldn't say.

"All the information on this player has come from other sources but, at the moment, I can't discuss any deal."

If I told you everything that happened every day you'd wonder how I slept at night Gary Johnson

City are understood to have agreed a fee for the Egyptian international striker some time ago, but negotiations over the payment have held up the deal.

But now Moteab's agent Ahmed Rifai has told reporters in Africa: "Bristol will pay half the amount now and the rest in January 2009.

"Emad shall fly to London as soon as he acquires the necessary visa."

Johnson has refused to comment on any of his transfer targets but has admitted that negotiations have proved tricky this summer.

"There are always a lot of complications and dramas," he said. "And, in most deals, you think you're there and then someone pushes you that little bit further.

"All I can say to people is that I'll tell you when deals are done, because if I told you everything that happened every day you'd wonder how I slept at night."