Aimar deal on hold as Ahli struggle to trim squad

10:51 04/12/2013
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Pablo Aimar’s future remains shrouded in mystery with the Argentine’s proposed move to Dubai club Al Ahli still yet to be finalised.

    Aimar, 33, was again conspicuous by his absence in Benfica’s 2-0 win over Moreirense at the weekend as speculation continues to link him with an imminent exit from the Portuguese league leaders.

    Aimar’s father, Ricardo, claimed last week that his son had agreed personal terms with Ahli, who confirmed their interest in the player to Sport360° earlier this month.

    “He has already accepted Al-Ahli’s offer. I’m sad because he’s leaving Benfica, but what can we do? This is football…,” Aimar Snr told Diario de Noticias.

    Ahli have remained tight-lipped on any developments since, with director of football Roy Aitken only saying that the Pro League club were in “no rush” to complete a transfer 

    Reports that the deal was being held up by Benfica’s insistance on a transfer fee are wide of the mark Sport360° understands, with the club’s president Luis Felipe Vieira now willing to forgo a fee to help facilitate the move.

    Aimar is believed to have already cleared his locker at Benfica’s training ground and said his goodbyes to team-mates amid reports he has agreed a 18-month deal worth a reported €3million at the Rashid Stadium.

    The major stumbling block it seems is Ahli’s inability to offload two of their foreign stars with the club already boasting four – Achille Emana, Luis Jimenez, new-boy Ricardo Quaresma and Grafite.

    Aimar’s arrival would swell that number to five when Pro League rules state that clubs are allowed to register a maximum of three supplemented by one Asian player – in Ahli’s case Lebanese defender Yousuf Mohammad.

    Ahli have already confirmed Cameroonian midfielder Emana is free to leave the club, with clubs both in the Emirates and abroad keen, while speculation continues to surround the future of Chilean playmaker Jimenez.

    However, until such time that one, or both, have been moved on, Ahli are reluctant to finalise a deal for Aimar given the financial implications of stockpiling players on lucrative contracts.

    Ahli will take solace from the fact that the Pro League winter transfer window does not close until February 4 – four days after its European cohorts – meaning they still have almost two weeks to complete a deal.

    Benfica are keen for a the transfer to be wrapped up sooner rather than later though as they look for a replacement for Aimar with FC Twente midfielder Leroy Fer at the top of their wishlist.

     

    * For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.

    Recommended