Abu Dhabi: French defender Mikael Silvestre is reportedly on his way to join Al Jazira, the runners up of the UAE Professional Football League (UFL) in the new season to boost the club's quest to win their first ever domestic senior league title.
The 32-year-old, who has visited Arsenal's football academy in Dubai in the past, has reportedly held talks to sign for the Abu Dhabi club.
Reports from England newspapers' websites mentioned that the deal is worth 4 million pounds annually, but no official could be reached from Al Jazira to comment on the reports.
If he signs, Silvestre would be following in the footsteps of Italian captain Fabio Cannavaro who joined Dubai club Al Ahli last month.
The club's management had announced at the end of last season that they will not renew the contracts of their foreign professionals except their striker Toni and since they have been in the market for quality players including a central defender to replace Brazilian Rozario - who featured in the position for the last two seasons.
Slivestre, born in August 9, 1977, has started his career in England with Manchester United where he played in both as a central defender and left full back from 1999-2008 before joining Arsenal.
Arsenal manager, Frenchman Arsene Wenger, is believed to have started negotiations to replace Silvestre with Everton defender Phil Jagielka and Laurent Koscielny from French club Lorient while CSKA Moscow has showed interest to have the services of Silvestre - who was not selected by Raymond Domenech to play for France in the World Cup in South Africa.
Meanwhile, reports from Brazil linked Al Jazira with attacking midfielder Diego Souza of Palmeiras for the new season and his club officials have already given him the green light.
