Al Ahli say Mirel Radoi move unlikely

Dubai: Al Ahli have confirmed they are in the market for a defender but say the chances of Mirel Radoi following Cosmin Olaroiu from Al Ain are slim.

Romanian coach Olaroiu left back-to-back league champions Al Ain for last season’s runners-up Al Ahli last week and now his trusty compatriot, centre-back Radoi, is rumoured to be following him to Rashid Stadium.

As well as at Al Ain, the pair were together for league championship success at Romania’s Steaua Bucharest and Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal. Olaroiu’s ability to land the title in his first season at Al Ahli is said to be dependent on a fourth reunion with the player, despite Olaroiu previously saying he’s not Radoi’s babysitter.

However, a source close to the club has told Gulf News this may be difficult. “I don’t think Radoi is possible because he’s still contracted to Al Ain for another year and is currently discussing the option to extend,” said the source.

Al Ahli have signed Portuguese midfielder Hugo Viana from Braga, while Brazilian striker Grafite and Chilean midfielder Luis Jimenez have been retained as foreign players. But with Jimenez attempting to become an Asian player using a Palestinian passport — club chairman Abdullah Al Naboudah claims the UAE Football Association have approved the switch — Al Ahli can recruit a new player of any nationality.

“We are still looking for one more player and that will most likely be a defender. But this will be up to the coach to decide and he doesn’t return until next week. I think this will be cleared up before the team leaves for pre-season in Austria on Sunday,” the source added.

Radoi told the Romanian press before Olaroiu’s defection: “Our results are built around a team. It is the philosophy of Olaroiu. I love the project in Al Ain, not only from a financial point of view.

“My contract expires next summer, but we are in discussions to extend for another year. My family is happy, my future is in the UAE. I feel very comfortable there.”

Meanwhile, Al Wasl have admitted they want to fill their final foreign player slot with another striker, having already signed Brazilian forward Kaio Felipe Gonsalves and Australian defender Milan Susak and retained Argentinian midfielder Mariano Donda.

Emirates Club have confirmed the arrival of Brazilian striker Jair Eduardo Britto da Silva on a year’s loan from Japan’s JEF United Chiba. He joins fellow Brazilian Luis Henrique at the club.

Lebanese defender Bilal Najjarine has followed coach Abdullah Al Misfer from Fujairah to Al Dhafra, who have also signed Emmanuel Clottey from Tunisia’s Esperance.

Sharjah have confirmed the arrival of Brazilian defender Mauricio Ramos on a year’s loan from Palmeiras. He joins compatriots striker Jose Carlos Ferreira Filho and midfielder Fellype Gabriel.