Brazil international Michel Bastos’ miserable spell at Al Ain has come to an end after he agreed to the termination of his contract, freeing him up for an impending switch to Sao Paulo.
The 31-year-old featured only 12 times in the Arabian Gulf League following his €4 million (Dh19.7m) move from Lyon last summer, spending the second half of the campaign on loan with Serie A runners up Roma.
Bastos did not report for pre-season training with the Boss or travel with the rest of the squad to training camps in Italy and Austria.
He is now set to return to his native country, with giants Sao Paulo extremely close to agreeing terms on a free transfer with the 10-times capped Brazil international.
Bastos will become the latest star names to join the Tricolor, with his new team-mates including Alexandre Pato, Paulo Henrique Ganso, Kaka, Alan Kardec and Luis Fabiano.
The former Lille and Lyon man had been offered to Roma for a fraction of the €3.5 million (Dh17.5m) option in his initial loan, but the Italians were not interested in making the switch permanent.
Bastos is believed to think he has a better chance of forcing his way into new Selecao head coach Dunga’s plans while playing in his homeland.
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