DUBAI // Al Ahli have had a bid accepted for Shakhtar Donetsk striker Luiz Adriano.
The Dubai club’s chairman, Abdullah Al Naboodah, confirmed the news on his official Twitter account on Wednesday night, stating: “It has been agreed with Shakhtar Donetsk on the transfer of Luiz Adriano to Al Ahli. The details of the financial contract and the medical report will follow in the coming days. We ask God for success.”
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Adriano, 28, is wanted by a number of clubs in Europe following a prolific 2014/15 Uefa Champions League campaign in which he scored nine times in the group stages to equal Cristiano Ronaldo’s record.
A trio of Italian sides — Roma, Inter Milan and AC Milan — have been credited with registering an interest, all seeking to take advantage of the fact Adriano’s current contract is to expire in December.
Ahli have been in the market for a top-class forward since before the conclusion of last season and were previously linked with Demba Ba, the former Newcastle United and Chelsea player, and Hull City’s Nikica Jelavic.
However, it is understood Adriano was their No. 1 target. The Brazilian has been a regular goalscorer at Shakhtar since moving to the Ukrainian side from Internacional in his homeland in 2007.
In eight years at Shakhtar, he has helped the club secure six league titles and lift the Ukrainian Cup four times. In 2009, Adriano played an integral role in Shakhtar’s Uefa Cup triumph, claiming the opening goal in their 2-1 extra-time victory against Werder Bremen.
Adriano made his Brazil debut last November, starting the friendly match against Turkey in Istanbul. He has made three more appearances for his national team.
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