Al Jazira have launched an audacious bid to bring Al Ahli and UAE winger Ismail Al Hammadi to the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.
The Abu Dhabi club confirmed on their website yesterday that they had submitted a transfer req-uest for the Arabian Gulf League’s Emirati Player of the Year.
It is understood that the financial aspects of the deal have yet to be discussed but Jazira expect to find out tomorrow whether they will be allowed to speak to Al Hammadi.
“We are dealing under good communication and good cooperation with Al Ahli club and we are wishing that this communication will be positive for both sides,” said Jazira spokesman Mohammed Al Khudairi.
“We are not saying we are confident, there are terms and conditions of course. It is subject to finding terms and conditions that are suitable for both parties.”
News of a move for Al Hammadi – who returns to Dubai today following the national team’s Swiss training camp – comes just 24 hours after it emerged they had made a substantial offer for his international team-mate, Habib Fardan.
Both players are highly regarded in the UAE, having helped the Whites win the 2013 Gulf Cup of Nations in Bahrain and become integral to Mahdi Ali’s midfield plans.
Al Hammadi, 25, also played a major role as Ahli won a sixth league title, the UAE Super Cup and beat Jazira in the final of the Arabian Gulf Cup last term.
And, according to Al Khudairi, moves for the two local stars have been rubber stamped by the incoming coach at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, Eric Gerets.
“Everything has been done under the coordination and the supervision of the head coach and the technical committee,” he added.
“We are looking for the long-term positives and outcomes for Al Jazira and the national team.”
However, Jazira will have a fight on their hands if they are to coax either player away from Dubai.
The Abu Dhabi club made a similar approach for Al Nasr star Fardan last summer, which was rejected out of hand.
There is little reason to believe the Blue Wave’s response will be any different this time around as they look to build on their GCC Club Cup success.
Indeed, board member Fahad Hadi insists the 23-year-old midfielder is going nowhere.
He said: “Habib is a fixed asset of the Al Nasr squad and we are not even thinking about sending him away. They can make an approach for whoever they want.”
