Sow reveals he rejected EPL clubs to join Al Ahli

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  • Presented: Sow and Lima.

    Arabian Gulf League-record breaker Moussa Sow has revealed he spurned Premier League sides Sunderland and West Ham United to make his historic €17 million (Dh70.6m) switch to Al Ahli.

    Sow, 29, was proudly presented by the Red Knights on Wednesday alongside fellow new boy Lima. The Senegal forward has been chased by Al Ahli all summer, before the landmark deal was finally signed with Turkish giants Fenerbahce last Friday.

    Speaking during a packed press conference at Rashid Stadium, he declared the club’s rich heritage, which has included star names such as Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro and Brazil striker Grafite, helped convince him to reject a switch to England.

    “I received a few offers from West Ham United and Sunderland,” Sow said. “But in the end, I decided to come to Al Ahli.

    “I watched their matches in the AFC Champions League. I had some offers from the UAE during the last three or four years, but decided to come here because it’s the project I like.

    “I feel safe with the people here and they helped me come here. I heard the club has had lots of big players which have passed through it, such as Grafite and Fabio Cannavaro.

    “They gave me more information about the club and that’s why I decided to come to Al Ahli. I knew about Al Ahli from before. I heard a lot about them, watched some games and know they’re in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League.

    “That’s why I came to this big club, to support them in the future to reach our goals.”

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    The financial package to bring Sow to Dubai has narrowly eclipsed the deals which brought Ricardo Oliveira to Al Jazira and Asamoah Gyan to Al Ain.

    The size of the investment details the ambition of Cosmin Olaroiu’s men to make up for a disappointing domestic performance in 2014/15 which saw them relinquish their top-flight crown in seventh, exit the Arabian Gulf Cup as holders at the group stage and be defeated on penalties by Al Nasr in the President’s Cup final.

    In Sow, they have landed a player who was top scorer with champions Lille in the 2010/11 Ligue 1. He has also scored 52 goals in 107 games during three-and-a-half years at Fener, landing the 2013/14 Super Lig crown and two Turkish Cups.

    “I heard that this is one of the biggest transfers here in the UAE and I’m happy to have that much value in me. I’m trying to give back what the club paid for me,” the assured Rennes youth product said.

    “I received offers from England and from here and there but after I decided with my family and friends. I have been here many times and decided I should come to Al Ahli.”

    Sow – who is ineligible for the 2015 ACL – is likely to make his debut during September 20’s league match at home to Al Dhafra.

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