Al Ain and Al Hilal head a host of Middle East outfits determined to snap up Levante’s Ghana striker Emmanuel Boateng.
Boateng, 22, rose to global fame last May with a stunning hat-trick when champions Barcelona’s unbeaten run was ended with a shock 5-4 defeat. This stellar display has helped spark widespread interest in gaining his services.
Arabian Gulf League title winners Al Ain and Saudi Professional League holders Hilal have both confirmed they are prepared to pay a fee in excess of €10 million this winter to land the player. Boateng, himself, is eager to explore a move to the region.
The Boss gained an injection of cash this month after the reported $5m sale of outstanding Egypt midfielder Hussein El Shahat to Al Ahly and are open to cashing in on Sweden No9 Marcus Berg. Hilal are in the market for an upgrade on Venezuela centre forward Gelmin Rivas, having already brought in prolific Spanish striker Jonathan Soriano upon his exit from Beijing Guoan.
Boateng has scored once in 15 La Liga appearances this term for mid-table Levante.
In total since August 2017’s €2m switch from Portugal’s Moreirense, he’s struck eight times in 46 matches. His two caps for Ghana have included a penalty, on debut, in a 2-0 triumph against Japan.
The Accra-born attacker has also showcased versatility by being played as a wide forward, a position Al Ain are actively looking to fill within their four-player foreign quota.
Reports in Mexican media stated earlier this month that an approach had also been made by the beaten 2018 Club World Cup finalists to Eintracht Frankfurt about Marco Fabian.
Boateng was stationed on the right wing when he got an exceptional assist for Borja Mayoral’s eventual clincher in January 10’s 2-1 victory against Barca, during the Copa del Rey’s round of 16, first leg.
Follow Your Dreams, Believe In Yourself And Don’t Give Up 🤟🤟🙏💪#akyesaaaaaaa pic.twitter.com/kOyU6OdAe0
— Emmanuel Boateng (@EmmanuelBoaten8) January 11, 2019
If Al Ain push through a deal for Boateng, they will need to pay close to the combined €14.5m fees required to bring in celebrated countryman Asamoah Gyan during 2011/12.
This would be the largest single cash transaction in the AGL since – the now-defunct- Al Ahli paid Fenerbahce €17m to draft in Senegal forward Moussa Sow during September 2015.
The Boss are yet to announce a replacement for El Shahat within their non-Emirati contingent. A promotion had been expected for Mali anchor man Tongo Doumbia, who excelled as specialist signing for the CWC after a two-year deal was inked.
Brazilian forward Caio is reported to have agreed to join Benfica on a free transfer this summer.
