DUBAI // Australia defender Mark Milligan said his move to Abu Dhabi club Baniyas is still in limbo, but he is not allowing the suspense to distract from his job with the national team.
Baniyas, according to the Sydney Morning Herald, have made a US$1 million (Dh3.67m) offer for the Melbourne Victory captain, who has appeared in three World Cups for Australia and was a star performer in his club’s 3-0 win over Sydney FC in the A-League grand final last month.
The offer from the Abu Dhabi club, a record for an A-League player, had “activated a release clause” in Milligan’s contract with the Victory, according to the newspaper, and he has looked to earn the biggest paycheque of his career.
The two clubs have still not reached an agreement as Milligan trains with the Australian national team in Abu Dhabi ahead of their 2018 World Cup qualifier in Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday.
“Not a lot has changed in the past few weeks,” said Milligan, who came close to joining English Premier League side Crystal Palace last season.
“The innuendo and speculation is something I’ve been dealing with a lot over the past few years, and this transfer window, in that sense, has been no different.
“These sorts of things have been around in my career for a long time.
“The transfer speculation has obviously come up a few times recently but, actually playing football, or being in camp, is my escape from that.”
Baniyas have also made an audacious bid to sign Brazilian superstar Robinho. Mubarak bin Mahroum, the club chairman, has confirmed they are waiting on both the Milligan and Robinho deals.
“Until this moment, the club have not reached a final agreement or signed a formal contract with any foreign player, including Robinho,” he said.
“Negotiations are still going on and we could resolve the matter within days or it (a possible deal with Robinho) could be delayed until the end of the Copa America, where the player is participating with the Brazil team.”
Al Ahli are also on the lookout for a striker, and media reports in Turkey have linked the Dubai club with a move for former Chelsea striker Demba Ba, who is with Istanbul club Besiktas.
According to the FotoMac website, Ahli have made a €10m (Dh41.4m) offer for the 30-year-old Senegalese striker, who scored 27 goals in 44 appearances for Besiktas last season after arriving from Chelsea on a €6m deal.
Ahli will have to return with an improved offer as Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua, who signed Al Wahda target Tim Cahill in the winter, have also thrown their hat in the ring with a €14m bid, according to the website.
Meanwhile, reports in Brazil claim Arabian Gulf League champions Al Ain have made a bid to sign Corinthians captain Ralf.
The 31-year-old defensive midfielder, who has eight Brazil caps, will be out of a contract later this year and, according to the Lancenet website, Corinthians have no intention of extending his contract.
The Brazilian Serie A club, according to the website, have already accepted Al Ain’s offer and are waiting for the player’s approval, but Ralf’s representatives claim they have not seen the offer.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
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Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi
Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe
For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.
Golden Dallah
For the cappuccino, luqaimat and aseeda.
Al Mrzab Restaurant
For the shrimp murabian and Kuwaiti options including Kuwaiti machboos with kebab and spicy sauce.
Al Derwaza
For the fish hubul, regag bread, biryani and special seafood soup.
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch
Power: 710bhp
Torque: 770Nm
Speed: 0-100km/h 2.9 seconds
Top Speed: 340km/h
Price: Dh1,000,885
On sale: now
The specs
Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed
Power: 271 and 409 horsepower
Torque: 385 and 650Nm
Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000
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Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
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Biography
Favourite Meal: Chicken Caesar salad
Hobbies: Travelling, going to the gym
Inspiration: Father, who was a captain in the UAE army
Favourite read: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter
Favourite film: The Founder, about the establishment of McDonald's
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