Hibs hung onto key man Elie Youan beyond the January transfer window after it looked for all the world like he was about to move on.
Hibs had offers from Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City for the French forward, with the latter submitting a £1.5million bid for Youan which looked set to tempt the Hibees.
Another player who they kept hold of was Rocky Bushiri.
The commanding centre-back has been a huge part of Hibs‘ resurgence this season but is out of contract in the summer and had interest during the winter window.
The Hibees actually booted out a deadline day offer for Bushiri, reportedly worth six figures and coming from a top Belgian side.
That may have been tempting as a last chance for the Easter Road side to cash in, but they stood firm amid a belief they wouldn’t be able to get a replacement of as good quality at short notice.
But the interest in the DR Congo international hasn’t stopped there.
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Hibs reject Zamalek bid for Bushiri
Egyptian giants Zamalek were reported earlier today to be interested in Bushiri and determined to strike a deal, as per Hibs Observer.
Despite the closure of the transfer window here, theirs remains open and they wanted the 25-year-old to bolster their backline.
It was claimed negotiations were ongoing between the two clubs as they looked to come to an agreement on a suitable fee.
But the Daily Record is now reporting Hibs have once again resisted the temptation to sell and rejected Zamalek’s offer.
The Hibees’ stance on Bushiri hasn’t changed and he will now see out the season with them, currently a regular in the heart of their back three.
Hibs ‘stronger’ after transfer window
Hibs only signed one player, midfielder Alasana Manneh, during the transfer window and some supporters have questioned why they didn’t do more business.
But Tam McManus insists the Hibees have emerged from the window stronger.
He told the Daily Record: “Hibs only made one signing in the January window while at least four players left for good – but they’ve still come out the window stronger than they went in.
“And that’s because they’ve managed to clear out a good whack of the deadwood that was cluttering up the dressing room doing nothing and more importantly soaking up too much of David Gray’s wage budget.
“Gray’s squad coming into January was as bloated as my belly after a month-long festive binge. But unlike my gut it’s been streamlined thanks to an efficient month of trimming the fat.
“Hibs have been guilty in the past of just signing bodies to appease fans but they have resisted that. David Gray now has a tight-knit group that is on an upward trajectory towards the Euro spots.
“The addition of Alasana Manneh in the middle of the park is exciting and they’ve managed to hold onto Elie Youan. Releasing Harry McKirdy, Luke Amos and Jake Doyle-Hayes makes good sense while Nohan Kenneh’s loan to Ross County will spell the end of his time at Hibs too.
“I’m happy Youan stayed after Stoke reportedly failed with a seven-figure bid.
“The Frenchman gives you another option out wide or up front and along with Martin Boyle he is the only one who threatens in behind with pace. I still reckon he’ll be away in the summer if the right bid comes in but for now he can be a massive player as Hibs go after a Euro spot and a Scottish Cup run.”