From Bonaparte in Egypt by JC Herold, pages 2-3:

'When Bonaparte returned from his Italian triumphs in December 1797, the Directory had already appointed him to take command of the 'Army of England', then forming along the Channel coast preparatory to an invasion of the British Isles. Evidence as to whether or not he ever consciously contemplated the possibility of a successful invasion is conflicting; if so, it was not for long. After a hasty inspection of the staging areas in February 1798, he reported to the Directory that the military and financial resources available were utterly inadequate; that possibly the favorable moment for an invasion had been lost forever; that France must either make peace with England, or invade Hanover instead, or seize Egypt and thus cut Britain's lifeline to India. The latter scheme was adopted, in circumstances and for reasons that will be seen; it was by no means new, nor did it originate with Bonaparte.'

Your continuing bias towards Napoleon is again noted, but it seems to me has historically blinded you to the facts of the matter. It has already been brought up to you that the Directory ruled France at this time, not Napoleon, and he was subject to their decisions. He could suggest and recommend, but the final decision, and the allocation of resources, rested with the Directory.