Kashima Antlers starlet Caio tops Al Ain shopping list

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Star in the making: Caio.

    Al Ain have turned to Japan once again and lodged a bid for Kashima Antlers left winger Caio.

    Caio, 22, has risen to the top of the Boss’ list of wide men after an impressive start to his professional career in the J1 League.

    An offer worth approximately €3 million (Dh12.4m) for the 2014 Rookie of the Year has been rejected because superior amounts from two unnamed Qatar Stars League outfits have been provided, although tentative interest from Al Wasl is not expected to complicate the situation.

    The UAE’s most-decorated club remain keen to complete the deal and secure the signature of a player they believe can compliment right-footed speedster Danilo Asprilla.

    Al Ain have also distanced themselves from reports in Turkey about an approach to Hungary captain and Bursaspor star Balazs Dzsudzsak.

    Recent success in the Japanese market has strengthened this desire, with striker and fellow Brazilian Douglas, 28, netting an impressive 18 times in 22 games since a €4m (Dh16m) move from Tokushima Vortis during January.

    To facilitate Caio’s potential spot in the four-player foreign quota, centre midfielder Fellipe Bastos has been made available for transfer. But the 26-year-old could prove difficult to shift.

    He has two years remaining on a contract signed upon arrival from Vasco Da Gama last summer and potential problems relocating his family to Saudi Arabia has ensured a lukewarm reaction to an approach from Al Ahli Jeddah.

    Even if the sale of the ex-Benfica and PSV Eindhoven proves abortive, the Arabian Gulf League runners-up intend to press on with the recruitment of a left-sided, non-Emirati attacker which they are convinced could help unseat champions Al Ahli.

    Another strong run of performances during just his third top-flight campaign has drawn wide interest in Caio’s services.

    The Aracatubanative’s lethal ability to cut in from the left onto his favoured right foot has seen him register five goals and three assists as Kashima sit second in the table after 15 matches. This follows eight goals and five assists in 30 J1 League games during his breakthrough 2014, with 11 goals and six assists in 32 matches coming the season after.

    In total, he boasts the excellent average of a goal or assist every 136.8 minutes. Caio – who has also spoken about the possibility of naturalisation after moving to Japan in 2011 aged 17 – has recently been embroiled in a racism scandal.

    Urawa Red Diamonds on Monday said an offensive tweet directed at him by apparent supporter @urawatsubasa last week was “absolutely intolerable”.

    Recommended