Al Ain forward Jires Kembo Ekoko set for Bani Yas switch

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  • Jires Kembo Ekoko has scored 19 goals in 44 top-flight appearances.

    Unwanted Al Ain forward Jires Kembo Ekoko appears set for a permanent exit to Bani Yas despite pouring cold water on an imminent transfer.

    — Ahdaaf (@ahdaafme) August 2, 2015

    Kembo Ekoko, 27, has been put on the transfer market by the Boss after they signed Netherlands international Ryan Babel from Kasimpasa.

    This situation has led their Abu Dhabi-neighbours to agree a fee and personal terms on a two-year contract as they move to imminently complete a much-improved four-player foreign quota for their 2015/16 Arabian Gulf League campaign.

    But the former France Under-21s international – who has scored 19 goals in 44 top-flight appearances since his 2012 move from Rennes – posted on his Twitter page yesterday he had no news about a departure from Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.

    “When I will sign somewhere I will you let you know, I’m still in Al Ain #lovefootball #always smile, God is wonderful,” he tweeted. “I don’t sign with Bani Yas.” Officials from the Sky Blues expect to close the deal in the coming days.

    The player and his representatives are currently working through some last details with Al Ain on a contract which runs until next summer before he can undergo a medical. 

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    “We have an agreement with both Al Ain and the player about the transfer, on a two-year contract,” Bani Yas vice-chairman Mubarak Awad bin Mahirom said. 

    “But we cannot officially complete the deal until the player has undergone the medical examinations.

    “Kembo Ekoko needs to work through some final details with Al Ain and we need to finalise some paperwork. We hope this will be imminent.”

    The Kinshasa-born star has endured a rollercoaster relationship with the Boss. He played a key role in the 2012/13 AGL title win, before the purchase of Brazil international Michel Bastos saw him packed off on loan to Qatar’s El Jaish for the following season.

    He was then recalled by coach Zlatko Dalic in July 2014, stating “I really feel that I’m back home with my family”.

    Kembo Ekoko contributed to last term’s top-flight triumph, regularly filling in for stricken striker Asamoah Gyan as he fired in an impressive 11 goals and seven assists in 21 games.

    He is now close to joining a side who have ambitiously set about improving on a disappointing eighth-placed finish. In a total revamp of coach Luis Garcia’s non-Emirati options, Kembo Ekoko will be joined on the flanks by giant Algeria international Ishak Belfodil – a free-transfer signing following his release from bankrupt Parma.

    They will be tasked with supplying new centre forward Jorge Larrivey, a €2 million (Dh8m) buy from Celta Vigo. Behind them, Australia’s Mark Milligan will man the midfield after he was drafted in from Melbourne Victory.

    Kembo Ekoko’s arrival brings an end to Spanish playmaker Joan Verdu’s short spell at Bani Yas Stadium.

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