Al Ain’s summer recruitment plans will be determined on whether star man Omar Abdulrahman leaves the club to join English Premier League champions Manchester City.
The 20-year-old Emirati joined City on trial with a view to a permanent deal at the Etihad Stadium last week after impressing during the UAE’s Olympic campaign.
Abdulrahman was given a final chance to impress City coaches on Wednesday after being given a run-out for club’s Under-18 side in their 4-3 friendly win over Welsh side Colwyn Bay.
Al Ain are now waiting to hear if the talented playmaker has done enough to earn a dream move to the Premier League before they proceed with their own moves in the transfer market.
The Boss have space for one foreign and one Asian player in their squad following the departures of Ignacio Scocco and Yasser Al-Qahtani at the end of last season.
Lyon midfielder Michel Bastos has long been considered the frontrunner to fill the foreign quota, while Arsenal’s South Korean Park Chu-young as been tipped to arrive as the AFC-qualified player.
However, a spokesman for Al Ain has confirmed all negotiations with prospective new signings are on hold until Abdulrahman’s future is resolved one way or another.
“Basically, we have put all talks on hold with until we know if Abdulrahman will be staying or going,” the spokesman told Sport360°.
“Omar is a key, key player for us who can play in a number of positions – in the No10 role or out on the left – so if he does leave for City then obviously we will need to find a suitable replacement.”
A decision over the future of Abdulrahman, set to arrive back in the UAE in the coming days, is expected next week with City set to inform Al Ain whether they want to keep the player.
As we reported earlier this week, work permit issues could yet scupper the move with City almost certainly having to plead that Abdulrahman is a ‘special talent’ in order to overcome the current Home Office criteria.
In order to be granted a work permit players have to have played in 75 per cent of their country’s games in the last two years while the national team must be in the top 70 of FIFA’s World Rankings.
Should City fail in their bid to sign Abdulrahman, the Al Ain spokesman has given fans hope of retaining the services of the highly-rated star for their AFC Champions League campaign by stating his belief he will remain at the Tahnoun bin Mohammed Stadium.
“I honestly don’t know whether City will make an offer for him, but I believe he will stay at the club and help us in the Champions League if a move doesn’t materialise.”
Sport360° understands Al Ain have been approached by a number of European clubs regarding Abdulrahman’s availability, but it seems City are the only club in with a realistic chance of signing him.
Meanwhile, contrary to some reports it is our understanding Brazilian midfielder Bastos remains on the club’s shortlist as they look to add to their earlier capture of Asamoah Gyan this summer on a permanent basis.
A move for Bastos is still believed to be under consideration by the club’s board, but as we revealed he is only one of three names on their wanted list
“We’re at a certain stage with three players,” said a spokesman earlier this week. “What I can say is that all three players will improve our team from last season and help us to compete in the AFC Champions League.”
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