ABU DHABI // Abdulla Qasem's move to Al Nasr from Al Jazira may pave the way for the Abu Dhabi club to renew their interest in Habib Fardan.
Nasr have already turned down a Jazira offer for the UAE international midfielder but, after Qasem’s switch, the doors may have opened for the two clubs to resume talks.
Jazira officials did not want to talk about Fardan but confirmed Qasem’s move to Nasr on a three-year deal.
“We received bids from Baniyas and Nasr, and the latter succeeded in signing the player,” an official said. “I can’t say anything more than that at the moment.
“We are, of course, continuing to hold talks with those players in the transfer market with an obvious objective of strengthening the squad. This is normal at this time of the year.”
Fardan, 23, has played for Nasr since 2009 and has a contract running until the end of the 2015 season.
Nasr have gone on record to confirm they will renew the player’s contract but were not available for comment yesterday.
Despite being a key member of the national team, Fardan has yet to win a major domestic title with the club.
He was, though, a member of the team that won the Gulf Clubs Cup last season that ended the club’s 25-year trophy drought.
Midfielder Qasem, who turns 28 next month, won four titles at Jazira: the Arabian Gulf League, President's Cup, Arabian Gulf Cup and the Gulf Clubs Cup.
apassela@thenational.ae
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