Sharjah’s pursuit of a new coach is set to imminently conclude, although former leading target Giorgos Donis has informed them he has no current interest in taking the post.
The King have put ambitious plans in place to avoid a third-successive brush with relegation from the Arabian Gulf League in 2016/17.
After they completed the capture of lethal Al Ittihad striker Gelmin Rivas last week, attention has now centred on finding an elite replacement for rookie boss Abdulaziz Al Anbari.
Donis, 46, was offered a $5 million package to cover the wages of himself and his technical staff for two seasons. But the former Greece international would prefer to recommence his career in Europe rather than return to the Middle East just two months after his dismissal from Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal.
Among several other high-profile candidates sounded out by the five-time top-flight champions is Spaniard Pepe Mel.
The 53-year-old is available after he was sacked by Real Betis in January following an eight-match winless run in La Liga.
Overtures to Christian Gross are not likely to meet with success at this time.
The 61-year-old is currently planning to look for work again in January after he left Al Ahli Jeddah in triumph at the end of 2015/16 after landing a first Saudi Professional League crown in 32 years and twinning it with the King Cup of Champions.
Peru winger Edison Flores is hesitating about a switch to Al Wasl because of his desire to play in Europe once again, according to reports.
Flores, 22, has emerged as the main target to fill up the final spot in the four-player foreign quota for new boss Rodolfo Arruabarrena.
A bid has been submitted to Lima-based Universitario, which has been described as “very seductive” by newspaper El Bocon.But interest from Bundesliga outfit Werder Bremen – the home of countryman Claudio Pizarro – is complicating the Cheetahs’ pursuit of a player who previously played in Spain for Villarreal B.
The eight-times-capped international and his agent are expected to meet with Universitario in the next 24 hours to discuss their options. It is stated the club will push for him to accept the lucrative AGL offer.
Flores has scored 15 times in 93 Torneo Descentralizado appearances for his boyhood club, either side of a two-year spell playing in Segunda Division B for the Yellow Submarine’s reserves.
If he does move to Wasl, he would form an exciting attack alongside the Brazilians of playmaker Ronaldo Mendez and forwards Fabio De Lima and Caio Canedo.