Al Wasl have “no intention whatsoever” of selling prized asset Fabio De Lima

Matt Jones - Editor 20:38 17/08/2018
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  • Fabio De Lima (r) has shone in four years with Al Wasl.

    Al Wasl have reiterated once more they have “no intention whatsoever” of selling prized asset Fabio De Lima after they issued a statement condemning rumours surrounding the 24-year-old’s future.

    The brilliant Brazilian has shone during four Arabian Gulf League campaigns with the Cheetahs – he was named the league’s best foreign player two seasons ago and was again on the three-man shortlist this year, only to be beaten by Al Wahda hitman Sebastian Tagliabue.

    Speculation over the player’s future has been constant in the last 12 months, with both domestic and foreign rivals keen to prise the playmaker away from Zabeel Stadium – with De Lima linked with a Dh75-100m (£16-21m) move away.

    Saudi Arabia duo Al Hilal and Al Nassr both retain a keen interest in De Lima, with reports in the Arabic press this week suggesting Wasl had agreed a deal to sell their star man to Nassr.

    But the club denied reports as pure rumour, with De Lima having signed a contract extension last December that runs until 2022.

    “Al Wasl confirms the incorrect news reported in the media and social networking on the club ‘s approval of the transfer of Fabio Lima, and that the player will remain with the team,” they said in a statement on Twitter.

    “The club have no intention whatsoever to dispense with his services for any local or foreign team, being one of the pillars of the core team, and his contract extended with the club until 2022.

    “We call upon everyone to investigate the accuracy and truthfulness with published data or news related to the club and its staff in this important period.

    “The company emphasises that the only body authorised to talk about the club and the news is the official spokesman or media club office or chairman of the board only.”

    As it stands, Wasl will have an even stronger South American flavour to their foreign ranks this season, with De Lima’s namesake Vinicius Morreira de Lima joining earlier this summer on a season-long loan from Gremio.

    The 22-year-old, who also had loan spells with Mallorca and Ceara, will fit in alongside retained Brazilians Caio Canedo, Ronaldo Mendes and De Lima, replacing Australian loanee Anthony Caceres.

    Lima is new Wasl coach Gustavo Quinteros’ first signing since replacing fellow Argentine Rodolfo Arruabarrena.

    De Lima could miss the beginning of the new season after undergoing minor knee surgery several weeks ago.

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