Ten Cate refuses to rule out Al Faraj move

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  • Reported target: Salman Al Faraj.

    Boss Henk ten Cate has refused to “rule out anything” in regards to his foreign quota, after Saudi Arabia star Salman Al Faraj was linked with a Dh35 million switch to Al Jazira.

    The Pride of Abu Dhabi are yet to finalise their non-Emirati selection, despite playing the Arabian Gulf Super Cup against Al Ahli on Tuesday and kicking off in the Arabian Gulf League at home to Al Wasl on Saturday.

    Peru forward Jefferson Farfan and Morocco playmaker Mbark Boussoufa are locked in, but South Korea centre midfielder Park Jong-woo and Brazil schemer Thiago Neves remain at risk.

    Links to Al Hilal and Green Falcons regular Al Faraj, 27, in Saudi newspaper Arriyadiyah has heightened the speculation.

    “I’m happy with all the players I have worked with in the past season,” said Ten Cate at Sunday’s press conference in Cairo to preview the Super Cup. “The work that they have done allowed Al Jazira to escape danger and we even went up to the middle of the table in the league and won the President’s Cup.

    “I am now happy Mbark Boussoufa has joined the team and am confident of his ability to add the required quality in the group for the new season. The transfer window remains open until next month, and we can not rule out anything until that date.”

    Reports say Al Faraj is set to sign a three-year deal soon. His Asian qualification would put Park’s place in danger, although they have tried desperately all summer to shed Neves’ high wages after an underwhelming debut campaign since being bought from the Crescent.

    Ten Cate has demanded an all-round ‘No8’ figure in the midfield. Al Faraj has scored 18 goals in 213 appearances for Hilal since making his debut during 2008/09. He has also netted once in 25 caps for the Saudis.

    The transfer window in the UAE remains open until October 20.

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