Talks with Al Wasl extremely positive, Neill’s agent says

Dubai: Lucas Neill’s agent has told Gulf News initial negotiations with Al Wasl have been “extremely positive”, adding that the Australian captain would favour a stay in the UAE having been released by Al Jazira in June.

Centre back, Neill, 34, led Al Jazira to the President’s Cup last season, scoring five goals in 38 appearances across all competitions, before being replaced by South Korea midfielder Shin Hyung-min.

The Socceroos stalwart, formerly of English Premier League clubs Blackburn Rovers, West Ham United and Everton, is now hotly tipped to join Bruno Metsu’s Al Wasl in place of Omani defender Mohammad Shaiba.

Neill’s agent, Darren Jackson of Inspire Sports Management in Manchester, England, said: “Al Wasl have shown some interest. We are just in the process of speaking to the club, but nothing is formalised as yet.

“Lucas has a number of options and we are just weighing everything up. At this point in time things are at a sensitive stage, so we would refrain from mentioning the names of other clubs. But talks with Al Wasl have been extremely positive so far.”

Jackson added that Neill had enjoyed being in the UAE over the past year. He said: “It’s been good for him and his family. It’s equidistant to both his family in Australia and England, and the football in the UAE has been good to him both in terms of his role as captain of Australia, climate and the standard of opposition.”

“After Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr holidays, it’s just a case of as and when everything can get sorted in terms of negotiations. But with the league starting in mid-September, we would be looking to finalise things as soon as possible.”

In response to reports suggesting Neill needs to lower his wage demands having apparently asked Saudi Arabia’s Al Shabab and Qatar’s Al Sailiya for $1.5 million (Dh5.5 million) for a one-year-deal, Jackson said: “Obviously he’s a quality player, so in terms of finances, clubs will have no issue with that.”

Referring to rumours stating the deal was “80 per cent done”, provided Neill was more realistic with his demands, Jackson said: “If people aren’t prepared to put their names to quotes, then they shouldn’t comment on a deal they claim to be so involved with.”

Last Wednesday, Neill became only the second Australian since Peter Wilson to reach the milestone of 50 caps as captain of the Socceroos when he played in a 3-1 defeat to Scotland at Easter Road. Neill has now amassed 84 appearances in all, playing in World Cup 2006 and 2010 and the 2007 and 2011 Asian Cups. In July he was named greatest right back in the Greatest Ever Australian Footballer Awards organised by the Johnny Warren Foundation.

When called for a comment on the speculation, Al Wasl spokesman Tariq Abdullah said although the club were looking for a defender, interest in Lucas Neill was not official.