Chairman Khalifa Al Tunaiji has announced that Al Dhafra hope to sign two new foreign players in the next 48 hours, with South American duo Matias Defederico and Paulo De Oliveira most at risk.
Thursday’s goalless stalemate at Fujairah saw the Madinat Zayed-outfit make it three successive draws at the start of the Arabian Gulf League season.
These steady but unspectacular performances have forced the board to decide to act ahead of the closure of the transfer window on Thursday, October 2.
Both Brazilian striker De Oliveira and Argentina international winger Defederico only arrived this summer from Bragantino and Huracan respectively.
Their stays look to be short ones, however, as Dhafra plan exit talks after Monday’s home match against high-flying Al Jazira.
“We’re working on the departures of Matias Defederico and Paulo De Oliveira at the moment” Al Tunaiji said. “It is not definite they will be the ones to leave, but it looks most likely.
“Nothing is set in stone with the two new signings yet, we are in the process of sorting out their international registrations and contracts. But, we should have some good news within the next two days.
“Defederico and De Oliveira are good, but we are looking to add more value. They both did well in training camp, but the league is totally different and we are now looking to make a change. Ultimately, we are looking for that little bit more from our foreign players.
“We will make no definitive decision on who will leave until after [Monday’s] game with Al Jazira. On Tuesday, we will sit down with Defederico and De Oliveira to discuss our options – loan exits could be likely options for them.”
Defederico and De Oliveira have started all three top-flight fixtures, without contributing any goals.
Of their remaining two foreign players, Lebanon centre-back Bilal Najjarine has performed well since joining from Fujairah last season and Senegal striker Makhete Diop remains key.
Diop endured a troubling Thursday night, fainting because of exhaustion after the Fujairah game and being admitted to hospital. The Senegal international was released at 10:00 yesterday and Al Tunaiji was confident last season’s 22-goal star would be ready to face Jazira at Al Dhafra Stadium.
He said: “Makhete was not feeling so good after the game, and was very fatigued after the match.
“What he hadn’t told us was that he had been sick for two days before the game. When we asked why he hadn’t told us, he said if he had said so he wouldn’t have played.
“Makhete is trying so hard for the team and wants to do his best for us. We expect him to be ready to play Al Jazira.”
