DUBAI // Al Wasl expect to complete their foreign contingent by Friday at the latest, with the club working off a shortlist containing four names.
The Zabeel Stadium side are the only Arabian Gulf League club still seeking a fourth expatriate to fill their quota for the 2014/15 season, which kicks off on September 15.
Wasl acknowledge they have left it late in the transfer window but say the delay is because they have yet to determine which area of the squad needs strengthened the most.
This summer, the club have recruited a trio of attack-minded Brazilians – Neto Berola, Fabio Virginio de Lima and Ederson – as they bid to provide Jorginho, the new coach, with the resources to improve on last season’s disappointing 12th-place finish.
For the one remaining slot, Wasl will choose between a forward, a midfielder and two defenders. The club would not reveal which players are under consideration but said transfer fees and wages had been already discussed.
“I know we are tight for time, but we are still evaluating the players whom we discussed with the coach,” said Majed Obaidallah, Wasl’s team manager. “We need to finalise, but the final decision is with the coach because his opinion is most important.
“The local and foreign players we brought this summer are doing well, but since we have the possibility to add a new player we don’t want to be rushed. We should have something finalised by Friday, maximum.”
Obaidallah said Wasl had explored earlier this summer the possibility of a deal for Ronaldinho, the two-time Fifa World Player of the Year, but that the financial implications, and doubts concerning the World Cup winner’s motivation, persuaded them not to make a move. They also ruled out an approach for Ciel, the Brazilian winger at champions Al Ahli.
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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