Jefferson Farfan’s exit route out of Al Jazira has been complicated by River Plate’s foreign quota, according to Argentine media.
Farfan, 31, is set to be sold by the Pride of Abu Dhabi just one injury-ravaged year after he was snapped up for €6 million (Dh24.2m) from Schalke 04.
The Peru international has made just 11 appearances in all competitions, with a serious ankle ligament tear during November’s 4-1 loss at Al Ahli prematurely ending his campaign.
A re-jig of the President’s Cup winners squad has made his position vulnerable. He has been offered to the Argentine giants at a cut-price fee, but there are doubts they will take up the offer.
The 36-time Primera Division champions are only allowed four non-native players in their squad. With only seven days until pre-season starts, newspaper Ole reports there is a reluctance to change the current selection.
A move for Farfan would mean one of Colombia centre-back Eder Alvarez Balanta or Uruguayan quartet Rodrigo Mora, Tabare Viudez, Camilo Mayada or Ivan Alonso would have to leave.
Another player set to exit the Arabian Gulf League is Al Nasr misfit Nilmar, who ESPN report, could move to Fluminense in his homeland of Brazil.
Flu are on the lookout for a striker to replace Fred, who has been sold to Atletico Mineiro. His fellow former Brazil international is on their list of targets, with the Blue Wave happy to cut him loose after just 11 goals in 26 frustrating top-flight appearances.
Meanwhile, Bani Yas have narrowed down their search for a new coach to two candidates.
Dr Abdullah Misfir left the Sky Blues earlier this month after disagreements about the club’s future direction. A South American – which could be ex-Racing Club supremo Diego Cocca – and a European are in the mix.
“We have been through the CVs of coaches from Europe and Latin America and we have agreed, in coordination with the technical committee, to choose one from each,” vice-chairman Mubarak Awad bin Mahirom told Arabic media.
