Arabian Gulf League: Al Wasl deny transfer talks with Helder Postiga

Dubai club was heavily linked with Portuguese but Al Wasl lose to finalising a deal for another target, writes John McAuley.

Helder Postiga has played for clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur.

DUBAI // Al Wasl have denied they were ever in negotiations to sign Helder Postiga, the Real Zaragoza striker.

The Dubai club have been heavily linked with the Portugal international as they seek to recruit a forward to complete their foreign quartet for next season's Arabian Gulf League.

As of now, Wasl have on their roster Mariano Donda, the influential playmaker who has recovered from serious knee injury, and Kaio and Milan Susak, their two expatriate additions thus far this summer.

Postiga, who previously played for FC Porto, Tottenham Hotspur and Sporting Lisbon, was rumoured to be the man identified to fill that final spot – talks were said to be at an advanced stage – especially after Zaragoza reportedly lowered their valuation of the player by €2.5 million (Dh12m). His price has been set at €3.5m.

However, Wasl confirmed on their official Twitter account they held no interest in Postiga, with a club source later revealing the technical committee is close to finalising a deal for another target.

"We should have something completed during this week," the official said.

"It will most likely be a striker from Brazil. As for Postiga, those reports were in a lot of press, but the club have no idea where they came from."

Wasl have embarked on a second week of pre-season as they put plans in place to improve on a disappointing 2012/13 campaign.

Then, they employed four different managers before finishing ninth in the table.

In May, Laurent Banide, the former Al Dhafra coach, was entrusted as the man to lead their revival.

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