Angry Al Jazira stalwart Abdullah Mousa is intent on quitting the club after he felt disrespected in a row with senior management.
Mousa, 28, has been a key part of the capital side’s defence since he moved from Al Nasr seven years ago. As vice captain, the UAE international was to play a leading role under returning coach Abel Braga next season.
But this scenario has fallen apart after he believed promises made to him in a contract signed until 2019 were broken.
This has left Jazira with an unexpected headache, as they are trying to strengthen an already-suspect rearguard this summer rather than weaken it.
“Peace, mercy and blessings of God,” he tweeted last night. “I wished my football career would end in the club [Jazira]. But for the first time, I feel uncomfortable and I go.”
The tweet followed disquiet from the former Al Ain star about bonuses in his deal which he was convinced were due this summer.
“Abdullah was promised certain things, but after discussions with the club’s leadership this was denied,” a source close to the player said. “This led him to ask Jazira to sell him, despite having four years left on his deal there.
“He was told by CEO Ammar Bashir how important he is to the club and that they do not want to sell him. But it is already too late in Mousa’s mind.
“Jazira have the money and power to buy 10 important players, so why not let one unhappy player go? He has big problems with Al Jazira now – they have broken some promises made to him and he feels disrespected.”
Left-back Mousa made 23 Arabian Gulf League starts last term as Jazira finished second under then boss Eric Gerets.
He was the standout performer in a chronically-weak back line which conceded 46 times – the third highest in the division.
Braga would have banked on the Fujairah youth product to provide a steadying influence alongside new signing Fares Juma, the centre-back inking a five-year deal on Wednesday from Al Ain.
Al Wahda full-back Mubarak Al Mansoori is also expected to strengthen this department soon.
Mousa excelled during the three-year golden spell previously enjoyed under the Brazilian, winning the 2009/10 Arabian Gulf Cup as well as the 2010/11 President’s Cup and Arabian Gulf League double which preceded his exit to Fluminense. But even a reunion with his old mentor Braga next season does not appeal at this stage.
“He has also been there for seven years,” the source added. “He wants to change and a new challenge excites him – I think it is about an 80 per cent chance he will leave Jazira. He has contacted people close to Braga, whom he knows so well. He has been told Braga wants to keep him.”
The Jazira players return for pre-season training on July 10, ahead of departing for a camp in Austria.
Meanwhile, reports in England suggest West Ham have made a move for out-of-favour Argentine playmaker Manuel Lanzini. The 22-year-old is surplus to requirements at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium and it is claimed the Premier League club want a year-long loan with an option to buy.
