Al Wahda have no intention of selling UAE international defender Hamdan Al Kamali to capital rivals Bani Yas, with chairman Aref Al Awani insisting his club want to “build on what they have”.
Bani Yas submitted a formal letter to the Maroon for the 25-year-old’s services yesterday as they attempt to improve on last season’s disappointing ninth-place finish in the Arabian Gulf League.
Al Kamali has emerged as one of the leading Emirati players, starting all three matches for the UAE at the 2012 London Olympics and May’s friendly loss to Armenia.
He also enjoyed a six-month spell on loan at French giants Lyon in 2012 without playing a game.
His partnership at the back with Hussain Fadel was crucial to Wahda’s late-season top-flight charge to second place last term.
And following the retention of the Kuwait international, Al Awani has no desire to break that up.
“We are holding on to him as he is a very important player for us,” he said. “I do not think Bani Yas would be able to afford him, anyway.
“Al Kamali is not available for transfer. We want to build on what we have for next season, and not sell any important players.”
Bani Yas are heavily restructuring their squad following the arrival of ex-Getafe and Levante coach Luis Garcia.
They remain in the market for three foreign players, and are looking to plug the gap left by the departure of versatile UAE international Mohammed Fawsi to Al Ain.
In another boost for Wahda, hot shot Sebastian Tagliabue is not currently on the list of targets for Saudi Professional League champions Al Nassr – with the Argentine striker happy to commit his future to the Al Nahyan Stadium outfit.
The 29-year-old has been a roaring success since joining last summer, his 28 goals guiding coach Jose Peseiro’s side to a stunning runners up spot in the AGL during his debut season.
Reports had emerged in Saudi Arabia that Nassr had entered negotiations to bring him back to the country in which he previously starred for Al Ittifaq and Al Shabab Riyadh.
But coach Raul Caneda is reviewing other players, after a move for Red Bull Salzburg centre forward Alan Carvalho broke down.
Even if the Saudi title holders were to eventually make a bid, Wahda have no interest in selling him and Tagliabue is more than content to remain with them to spearhead their likely AFC Champions League campaign.
Peseiro’s men have been quiet in the current transfer window, thus far bringing in young striker Majid Rashid from newly-promoted Fujairah and renewing the loan of impressive centre-back Fadel from Kuwaiti Premier League winners Al Qadisiyah.