Al Ain have entered negotiations for emerging Brazilian forward Renatinho as they seek to close their foreign business.
Renatinho, 25, has earned rave reviews at Parana Clube – who compete in Campeonato Brasileiro Serie B. His nine goals in 25 appearances for them from either out wide or behind the attacker has seen the Boss begin talks about a €2.5 million (Dh10.5m) deal.
The skilful Foz do Iguacu-native’s stirring performances have drawn previous attention, with other Asian sides and top-flight Coritiba trying to procure him earlier in the year.
His prospective new employers in the UAE are working from an initial 10-man player shortlist ahead of August 6’s deadline to complete their non-Emirati quartet in time to be registered for the latter stages of the 2017 AFC Champions League.
Al Ain have already bought prolific Sweden centre forward Marcus Berg from Panathinaikos and Japan’s defensive utility man Tsukasa Shiotani from Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
They have only chosen to retain electric Brazilian attacker Caio from last term’s list after a productive debut campaign upon arrival from Kashima Antlers, which contained 18 goals in 45 run-outs.
The Emirates’ most-decorated outfit are determined to improve upon last term’s domestic misery. They finished a distant fourth in the Arabian Gulf League, exited the President’s Cup in the quarter-finals and didn’t make it out of the Arabian Gulf Cup’s group stage to make it two-successive seasons without a trophy.
E ontem foi assim! Renatinho, R10, o 'REI'natinho fez o 5º gol dele no campeonato e deu a vitória para o Tricolor! pic.twitter.com/X1rhsebeQA
— Paraná Clube (@ParanaClube) March 30, 2017
Chairman Ghanim Al Hajeri revealed during Wednesday’s announcement of Berg’s heralded arrival that his board are perfectly in tune with Croatian coach Zoran Mamic’s demands ahead of his first full campaign at the helm.
“The report by coach Zoran was clear, it included all the needs of his team to achieve the desired goals accurately for the next stage,” he said.
In regards to the fourth foreign slot, Al Ain have also been linked to Al Nassr and Brazil defender Bruno Uvini – a player Mamic managed until his February defection to the Garden City – plus prolific Partizan Belgrade forward Leonardo Souza.
If Renatinho is the player they chose to proceed with, he will be expected to help provide the ammuntion for Berg.
‘R10’ came through Clube Atletico Paranaense’s academy, going on to feature for a number of smaller Brazilian sides.
In regards to outgoings, the Boss are in talks to sell erratic Colombian winger Danilo Asprilla to Turkey’s Bursaspor.
South Korea midfielder Lee Myung-joo has left for FC Seoul and they chose not to renew Saudi Arabia striker Nasser Al Shamrani’s loan from Al Hilal – their upcoming ACL last-eight opponents.
