Al Wasl close in on deal for striker Emmanuel Clottey

Dubai-based Pro League side set to beat Serie A's Roma and Egypt's Al Ahly to his signature.

DUBAI // Al Wasl appear set to complete their foreign quota with the signing of Emmanuel Clottey after the coach of the Ghanaian club Berekum Chelsea said the striker will leave following the conclusion of their African Champions League (CAF) campaign.

Wasl are in the market for a forward to play alongside Faisal Khalil, the frontman on loan from Al Ahli, and had considered Afonso Alves, the former Heerenveen and Middlesbrough player.

However, Bruno Metsu, the coach, has identified Clottey as his top target and hopes to seal the transfer in the next few days.

The Ghanaian, scorer of 12 goals in this season's CAF, was linked with Roma in Italy, although only Wasl and Al Ahly, the Egyptian club, remain candidates for his signature.

It is understood Wasl will offer US$1 million (Dh3.67m) for the 24 year old, while Ahly are prepared to go no higher than US $600,000, putting Metsu in pole position to land the prolific hitman.

"Clottey will go after the Champions League," Hans van der Pluijm, the Berekum manager, told the Ghanaian media.

"It is natural in Ghanaian football that club owners hope one day they can sell one or two players to recoup their investment."

Meanwhile, Wasl have warned supporters not to be fooled by an account on Twitter claiming to be that of goalkeeper Majed Nasser.

"It must be noted that Majed Nasser does not have any personal Twitter account, and that there are those who try to exploit his name," said the club.

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