THE current top scorer in the Barclays Premier League (BPL) is not even a permanent signing for his club.

Wigan Athletic's Amr Zaki is merely on a season-long loan from Egypt club El Zamalek, but the striker has set the league alight with five goals in six matches.

The 25-year-old leads the scoring chart by a goal over a trio of established strikers - Jermain Defoe of Portsmouth and Aston Villa duo John Carew and Gabriel Agbonlahor.

He is not the first Egyptian to ply his trade in the BPL - his international teammate, Middlesbrough's Ahmed Hossam Mido, takes the honour.

However, in a space of six games, he is proving to be the bargain buy of the season - even as Wigan may now struggle to keep his services as his talents have been broadcast to major clubs like Manchester United.

His club chairman, Dave Whelan, has compared his physical, hardworking style to that of former England great Alan Shearer, and Zaki is grateful for Wigan's appreciation of his talents.

He told the Daily Mail: "If any other club came in for me, even Man United, I would still want to stay at Wigan.

"Manager Steve Bruce spent six months trying to sign me. Now I want to show him that I'm worth all his efforts."

Bruce has also showered praise on his surprise find, but warns that Zaki may hit a dry spell during the cold British winter months.

He told The Mirror: "It will be very difficult for him in the winter, because he's used to playing in 30 deg C weather in Cairo.

"But he's got a fantastic attitude and mentality, he's a great boy and he's got an outstanding chance. I think we've found a real player in him. He's desperate to play."

That desperation may stem from an ill-fated stint with Lokomotiv Moscow in 2006, where he failed to play even once despite a £1-million (S$2.6-million) price tag.

Indeed, Zaki has endured a rather- nondescript career, playing his game in his home country with little interest from European sides.

His record with the national side, however, should have alerted more clubs than Wigan.

In 48 starts for Egypt, he has scored an impressive 29 times, including the winner in their 2006 African Nations Cup semi-final against Senegal.

Hence, he is even overlooked by clubs such as Newcastle, who were given a glowing recommendation of the striker, but decided to pass on him, reported The Journal.

Bruce will be crossing his fingers, hoping that he has made the business deal of the summer.

And, after a summer of crazy spending and big-name signings, neutral BPL fans would also be likely to warm to a previously unknown player becoming the transfer of the season.

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