Dubai: Dubai Club could be about to do a u-turn on one of their three summer signings in order to make room for former Lazio striker Tommaso Rocchi, Gulf News understands.
Italian striker, Rocchi, 35, is a free agent having left Inter Milan at the end of the season. Reports suggest both Dubai Club and Malaysia’s Johor Darul Takzim are interested in the player.
Dubai Club already have three attacking players in their foreign allocation and only need to fill the fourth and final slot for an Asia-born player.
However, a source at Dubai Club suggests that while the signings of Brazilian striker Andre Alves, 29, and Malian midfielder Aboubacar Tambadou, 26, are confirmed, the situation surrounding Italian winger Pasquale Foggia, 30, remains in doubt.
If Dubai Club opt against registering Foggia for the new season, it could open the door to Rocchi. Incidentally, Rocchi is a former Treviso, Empoli and Lazio teammate of Foggia. Both won the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana together at Lazio in 2009.
Rocchi told Italian press recently: “I scored three goals in my last eight games for Inter. Despite it being a difficult year for the team, I have shown I can play and do well.”
Asked why he hadn’t been approached, he added: “It’s weird, but I put myself in the shoes of the clubs and I know the market is difficult. I’m unemployed and free, but a team must also have a place for a player.”
Of foreign interest, Rocchi said: “I don’t confirm or deny it. Negotiations are under the table. These [Dubai and Malaysia] are the situations that have come out, such as Australia, but I will make an assessment for myself and calmly.
“Before giving the okay, I have to really think. It would mean giving up this level of football, but would also offer experience and the chance to make a reputation in a different land.”
