Mirko Vucinic will arrive in the UAE this weekend to complete his move to Al Jazira, but the capital club face competition to sign Rennes winger Jonathan Pitroipa from several clubs in the Gulf.
Reports in Italy on Wednesday night claimed Jazira had agreed a €6 million (Dh30m) fee with Juventus, with the striker jetting in to sign a contract worth €5m (Dh25m) plus bonuses over three years.
Earlier, French sports daily L’Equipe claimed the Pride of Abu Dhabi were also keen on Pitroipa.
The Burkina Faso international does not feature in current Red and Blacks boss Philippe Montanier’s plans but his signature would still represent something of a coup.
However, a move to Jazira is far from a formality with the 28-year-old, who contrary to reports has not left Rennes’ training camp in northern France, subject to offers from clubs in the UAE and Qatar.
Pitroipa is currently mulling over his options but has not put a deadline on making his decision.
Reports of the Pitroipa deal followed quickly after news of the ambitious Abu Dhabi club’s approach for Vucinic, whose agent was already in the capital.
With Jazira instructing Felipe Caicedo to find a new club, they are clearly looking for reinforcements up front. However, what Pitroipa’s purchase would mean for their other January acquisition, Jucilei, remains a little less clear.
The Brazilian is understood to have returned to the UAE ahead of pre-season training, but with Abdelaziz Barrada the other non- Asian foreigner on the club’s books, his position would come under threat if Pitroipa did arrive.
Ekoko's Al Ain future
Meanwhile, Al Ain coach Zlatko Dalic has hinted winger Jires Kembo Ekoko may still have a future with the President’s Cup winners.
The Boss returned to training on Tuesday night as they prepare for their AFC Champions League quarter-final with Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad next month.
Kembo Ekoko, who spent last season on loan in Qatar with El Jaish, had been expected to follow Mirel Radoi, Alex Brosque and Yassine El Ghanassy out of the exit door this summer.
“I will see the situation with Kembo, I know he still has a contract with my club. But for me, as a good player I need him. But we need a player like Kembo, especially if he has played before with my club. My players know him, I think he is very fast and the sort of profile of a player that I need,” said the Croatian coach of Kembo Ekoko, who scored eight league goals as Al Ain lifted the 2012-13 title.
Al Ain leave for a training camp in Turkey on Friday, with Dalic keen to get the make-up of his squad finalised well before the first leg against Ittihad on August 19.
