Al Ain reportedly making play for Chelsea’s Nigeria star John Obi Mikel

DUBAI // John Obi Mikel, the Chelsea midfielder, could be on his way to joining Asamoah Gyan at Al Ain next season, according to media reports in the Nigerian's home country.

The AfricanFootball.com website has claimed Mikel's representatives were scheduled to open negotiations with Al Ain over the weekend for a possible transfer of the Nigerian star to the Arabian Gulf League.

Mikel, 28, has been with the English Premier League giants Chelsea since moving to the London club in 2006 from Norway's Lyn Fotball and his current contract runs until June, 2017. But AfricanFootball.com claims the Nigeria international "is now considering his future away from Stamford Bridge after playing a bit role in the past two seasons".

“Mikel’s representatives will begin discussions with Al Ain on Friday in Dubai over a possible transfer,” the website quoted a source close to the player as saying. “The player has sanctioned the meeting and may even be part of it. It is now left to be seen what the club will put on the table for him.”

Read more: The National's Transfer Talk page

Christophe Mandanne, a Frenchman of Ghanaian origin, could also be plying his trade in the UAE next season with Fujairah reportedly keen on signing him as Boubacar Sanogo’s replacement.

The Toulouse-born Mandanne, 30, has never played outside France, starting his career at Le Havre and then playing for Tours, Dijon and Reims before signing for his current club Guingamp in 2012.

According to sources at the club, Mandanne’s name has been recommended by the Fujairah coach Ivan Hasek, who knows the player from his time coaching at French clubs.

Dibba Al Fujairah, meanwhile, have picked Brazilian Sergio Alexandre as their coach for the next season after being linked with former Al Wahda manager Ahmed Abdulhalim of Egypt and Tunisian Fathi Al Jabal.

Egyptian Tariq Elsayed, who led Dibba to the Division One title last season, will be Sergio’s assistant, with the Brazilian expected to arrive in the country in the first week of July to start on his new job.

Sergio, 48, has worked with a number of clubs in the UAE since 2003, including Al Shaab, who he helped gain promotion to the top division through the play-offs in 2012/13, when the league was expanded to 14 teams from 12.

Our legal consultants

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Cultural fiesta

What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day.

Essentials

The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Los Angeles, from Dh4,975 return, including taxes. The flight time is 16 hours. Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Aeromexico and Southwest all fly direct from Los Angeles to San Jose del Cabo from Dh1,243 return, including taxes. The flight time is two-and-a-half hours.

The trip
Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic’s eight-day Whales Wilderness itinerary costs from US$6,190 (Dh22,736) per person, twin share, including meals, accommodation and excursions, with departures in March and April 2018.

Match info

Bournemouth 0
Liverpool 4 (Salah 25', 48', 76', Cook 68' OG)

Man of the match: Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)