Al Jazira nearing deal with Roma for Ivory Coast star Gervinho

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  • Wanted man: Gervinho.

    Al Jazira are close to making their second headline-grabbing recruit in a year from Italy after officials jetted in to seal winger Gervinho’s signature, according to reports.

    Gervinho, 28, has been strongly linked with the Arabian Gulf League runners-up since last month.

    Both Sky Sport Italia and Il Tempo newspaper reported that Pride of Abu Dhabi CEO Ammar Bashir had landed in Italy yesterday to secure a final agreement with Serie A giants Roma and close personal terms with the Ivory Coast international on an eye-catching €13 million (Dh53m) deal. Officials from Al Jazira could not be reached for comment.

    If the former Arsenal and Lille star can be persuaded to move, he will follow in the footsteps of Mirko Vucinic. The Montenegro striker proved an exceptional addition from Juventus during his 2014/15 debut campaign, scoring 25 goals to become the top flight’s leading scorer.

    The Italian reports state an outline arrangement was originally struck between the parties in London last month. It is understood Gervinho has been offered to several leading AGL sides.

    His wage demands of approximately €3m a season were not considered a problem by many of Jazira’s rivals, but it is only the Pride of Abu Dhabi who are prepared at this stage to sanction the large transfer fee on a player who scored twice in 24 Serie A appearances last term. 

    Al Jazira are currently in a state of limbo in regards to the identity of their 2015/16 coach. Belgian Eric Gerets is yet to be officially released, despite club legend Abel Braga agreeing a three-year contract to return as replacement from July.

    Gervinho’s purchase would seem to signal the end of one or both Argentina youth international Manuel Lanzini and Burkina Faso wide man Jonathan Pitroipa’s one-season spell in the capital.

    Meanwhile, Al Wahda chairman Ahmed Al Rumaithi has revealed the club hope to announce their new coach next week and talks with Christian Gross have been aborted.

    The Clarets are in the market for a boss after Saudi Arabia legend Sami Al Jaber announced his mutual exit in May after an indifferent three-month spell.

    A number of names have been connected to the Al Nahyan Stadium post, with Al Ahli Jeddah’s Gross a leading contender. This particular avenue has been closed off however, the one-year remaining on the 60-year-old’s deal with the Saudi Professional League runner’s up halting any talks.

    “We hope to announce our new coach early next week,” Al Rumaithi said. “In regards to Gross, we could not agree a deal and have ended talks. Gross has one year left on his deal with Al Ahli [Jeddah] and we respect this. We did not want to get into any conflict about this matter.”

    Wahda endured a tumultuous 2014/15, shockingly sacking coach Jose Peseiro in February when third. They dropped one spot under replacement Al Jaber, this proving costly as Al Nasr’s President’s Cup success pushed them into the 2016 AFC Champions League at their expense.

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