ABU DHABI // Al Jazira have brushed aside the transfer news of their foreign players as “rumours” and “speculation” until a committee meeting on Tuesday night.
“Whatever news is appearing at the moment are rumours because nothing will be decided until the technical committee and the club management meet,” Ali Al Nuaimi, the club spokesman said.
“It is not unusual at this time of the year for people to speculate and it is not unusual for the clubs to table some names of the players.
“Jazira are yet to decide if changes are required and, if so, it will only be decided at the meeting. We can only say whatever news that has appeared is not true.”
Speculation is rife that Jazira are set to ship out Ricardo Oliveira, the Brazilian forward who has spent five seasons at the Abu Dhabi club.
Nelson Valdez, the Paraguayan international, a summer signing who has been plagued by a recurring knee injury, and Shin Hyung-min, the South Korean centre-back, are also reported to be among that group.
Al Wahda meanwhile have short listed three players – a Brazilian, a Portuguese and a Moroccan – as a replacement for the Chile midfielder Marco Estrada during the winter transfer window.
Carlos Martins, the Portugal international midfielder who is plying his trade for the Primeira Liga club Benfica, is believed to be among those names but the club officials refused to confirm.
“It is true we have short listed three names but there is a process and we need to respect them,” he said.
Estrada made eight appearances in 13 league games for his club after missing out the first three because of an injury.
apassela@thenational.ae