Al Wahda in talks with Sao Paulo midfielder Denilson

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  • Wanted man: Denilson.

    Former Arsenal midfielder Denilson is one of three players Al Wahda have entered “delicate negotiations” with as incoming coach Paul Le Guen’s French Revolution takes shape.

    Le Guen, 51, agreed a one-year contract to take over at the Clarets earlier in the week. This remains unsigned but no hitches are expected, his exit from the Oman national team being finalised following Thursday’s 2-1 World Cup Qualifying Group D victory in India.

    The process is set to speed up from today, with club officials returning to Abu Dhabi from business elsewhere to seal the deal.

    With the replacement for Sami Al Jaber in place, recruitment for the Arabian Gulf League outfit is now the priority as they look to improve on last term’s disappointing fourth-placed finish.

    Denilson is one of a trio Wahda have entered talks with as they look to plug the gap in their four-player foreign quota left following the release of Morocco midfielder Adel Hermach.

    Talks with the 27-year-old and two unnamed European-based players have begun.

    “We are talking to three players as we look to find a top-quality replacement for Adel Hermach,” a club official said. “Denilson is one of these players.

    “These are delicate negotiations as we try to improve our squad from last season. We hope to finalise any deal in the coming days.

    “We are working with Paul Le Guen to target the right players. A one-year contract has been agreed with him to take charge of Al Wahda, but it has not been signed yet.”

    Denilson came through the Sao Paulo youth system before he was snapped up by Arsenal in 2006. He made 96 Premier League appearances, but was never able to establish himself as a first-team regular. He rejoined the Tricolor on loan in 2011, making the move permanent two years later.

    Reports in the Brazilian press state the deal to bring Denilson to the UAE will be complex, his purchase from Arsenal in 2013 being paid for by both Sao Paulo and investors.

    “What I can say is that there is a proposal,” his agent Alexandre Soares told Globo Esporte. “I was yesterday with the board of Sao Paulo, there is still much to be talked about.

    “We need to see whether it’s good for Denilson, good for Sao Paulo and good for the investors.”

    If Denilson is to join Wahda, he will be a team-mate of top scorer Sebastian Tagliabue. The Argentine striker – who has 43 top-flight goals in 47 appearances – will be staying at Al Nahyan Stadium alongside Kuwait centre-back Hussain Fadhel.

    The same can not be said of Tagliabue’s countryman Damian Diaz, the Wahda official stating: “If something better comes along, then we will look to replace Diaz. Any decision will be made in consultation with Paul Le Guen.”

    Meanwhile, Wahda have decided not take up their spot in next season’s GCC Club Cup as they look to concentrate on the AGL.

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