Esmail, 26, has emerged as a key player for club and country since he was bought from Emirates Club in January 2011. But his standing with the Pride of Abu Dhabi has declined in recent months after an argument about payments to his previous agent saw him suspended by the UAE Football Association for a short time and a long-term knee complaint regularly saw him on the sidelines.
Despite these problems, Ahli are keen to investigate whether an agreement to bring the tall 33-times-capped international to Dubai can be reached. A player-exchange deal which would involve international midfield partner Habib Fardan and ex-Al Wahda right-back Essa Santo has been mooted.
Both Red Knights boss Cosmin Olaroiu and Jazira sporting director Gianluca Nani were spotted at the UAE’s 2-1 friendly victory against Iceland on Saturday night. The Romanian downplayed speculation about their presence and insisted it was merely long-term friends meeting up.
He said: “I’ve known Nani for more than 10 years. I’ve known him for a long time.
“Ever since a long time ago we have enjoyed a friendship.”
The 10th-placed capital outfit angrily denied rumours during the summer of Esmail leaving and it remains to be seen if their staunch position can be changed.
Transfers involving UAE stars are notoriously tricky to complete, with elite domestic talent at a premium. An attempt to do this in the winter market when player movement is more limited has only increased the complexity.
Fardan, 25, was keen to come to Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in August 2014 before a Dh40 million switch was agreed by Ahli and Al Nasr. He has yet to consistently justify this outlay since, scoring just twice in 39 Arabian Gulf League appearances.
The Al Wasl youth product was also hauled off on 65 minutes after an error-strewn display during the decisive second leg of November 21’s 2015 AFC Champions League final, in which China’s Guangzhou Evergrande secured a 1-0 triumph. Speaking after the game, Olaroiu ominously declared he had seen “some limits” about his team.
Santo, 29, is closing on a return to fitness after rupturing knee ligaments in pre-season. When available, he would bolster a porous Jazira defence which has conceded 29 times in 14 top-flight matches during 2015-16.
