Al Wasl are seeking a new striker after Ederson Alves left the UAE for the Far East. The 26-year-old Brazilian formed a prolific triumvirate with compatriots Fabio de Lima and Caio Canedo last season, scoring 46 Arabian Gulf League goals between them.
Wasl head coach Gabriel Calderon had been hoping to keep hold of his prized assets but Alves’ parent club Atletico Paranaense sold him to J League Division 1 side Kashiwa Reysol yesterday for €2.8m (Dh11.3m).
Despite losing a player who scored 14 goals in 26 games, Argentine Calderon is hopeful of retaining fellow Brazilian Caio Canedo, 24, who scored 16 goals in 22 outings for the Cheetahs.
“I am confident of keeping Caio,” Calderon said. “If he stays, we have room for one striker. Now, in a few days, I think the club will confirm.”
Elsewhere, Barcelona youth team graduate Joan Verdu could be on his way out of Bani Yas after the club confirmed they are searching for a replacement.
A club official said Verdu, 32, had not returned to pre-season training with the rest of the team this week.
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“Verdu is still at the club for now but we are searching for a better player and if we can find one he will go, otherwise he will stay,” said Hassan Al Marzouki.
If the Sky Blues dispense with the services of a player who scored 10 goals in 24 appearances in his debut campaign, they still have two foreign slots open following the arrivals of Australian midfielder Mark Milligan and Dutch striker Michiel Kramer.
They were also chasing former NAC Brada winger Adnane Tighadouini, but the 22-year-old has instead signed for Spanish Primera Division Malaga.
Although deposed champions Al Ahli are yet to fully sink their teeth into the transfer window, the Red Knights have acquired Emirati midfielder Hassan Abdelrahman from Division 1 Group A side Dubai Club on a three-year deal.
Al Shaab have strengthened by signing midfielders Matias Donoso and Mansour Abbas.