Hadid a possible replacement for Al Fardan

Dubai: Al Nasr coach Ivan Jovanovic has already made arrangements for a replacement should he lose influential playmaker Habib Al Fardan this week.

According to reports from the Bur Dubai club, their Serbian coach is all set to sign Fahad Hadid from neighbours Al Wasl after rumours that Al Fardan may be headed to Al Jazira for the start of the new season.

A source from Al Nasr told Gulf News that Hadid has already agreed terms with Al Nasr and coach Jovanovic is happy the youngster, who turned 21 earlier this month, will fit well in place of Al Fardan.

There has been a strong rumour that the UAE national team midfielder is keen to quit Al Nasr after reportedly being offered a whopping Dh40 million by Abu Dhabi club Al Jazira.

Coach Jovanovic consulted the Al Nasr management and swiftly moved for a replacement with a four-year deal for Hadid, who started 22 matches and scored six goals for the Cheetahs last season.

While at the helm of Al Wasl, Diego Maradona was in awe of Hadid, comparing the youngster to himself quite often. But the rising star did not find favour with subsequent coaches that followed at Al Wasl.

With the Eid holiday, neither management team was available for comment.