Al Jazira have made a late push to convince Brazil superstar Robinho to reject the rich financial rewards of a lucrative switch to Chinese Super League champions Guangzhou Evergrande.
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Robinho, 31, is available on a free transfer after he rescinded his contract at Serie A giants AC Milan. Once he was unable to agree a permanent move to boyhood club Santos, Luiz Felipe Scolari’s big-spending Asian outfit were believed to have closed on his capture with a giant €12 million-per-year (Dh48.7m) offer.
The Pride of Abu Dhabi have been calmly assessing their options since €13m (Dh52.8m) move for Roma winger Gervinho fell through last week.
Just when you think Robinho = the ultimate A-League signing, you hear what he’s been offered in China: US$1 million, tax free. (per month)
— Sebastian Hassett (@sebth) July 1, 2015
They have considered a number of candidates to fill the vital final slot in their four-player foreign quota, returning coach Abel Braga a long-standing fan of the 99-times-capped Canarinho forward.
They are aware any last-minute bid to derail Robinho’s move to Guangzhou is fraught with difficulty and unlikely to be successful, but hope the lifestyle in the UAE could convince him about heading to Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.
They would not be able to match the wage offer from the Far East and could narrow the difference with a handsome signing-on fee for a three-year deal.
Robinho is currently on a break after Brazil were eliminated from the quarter-finals of the Copa America. His advisers have also fielded approaches from Bani Yas, Cruzeiro and Queretaro.
Jazira have already backed away from a huge €17m (Dh69.1m) offer for Santos playmaker Lucas Lima. Italian newspaper Tuttosport has also reported an ambitious loan bid for Chelsea’s Egypt winger Mohamed Salah has been rejected.
Another option is Napoli forward Eduardo Vargas, who has been linked in the Chilean media with a Middle East move. There is plenty of interest in him after he excelled during La Roja’s Copa victory, Al Ahli also a distant possibility.
Jazira begin pre-season training on Friday.
