Al Ahli are considering a number of possible candidates to replace Rodrigo Lima this winter, with Leonardo, the Asian Champions League-winning forward with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, the frontrunner at present.
The UAE champions, currently third in the Arabian Gulf League after Friday's disappointing 0-0 draw at home to Kalba, have identified the in-form Brazilian as a possible successor to Lima after deciding not to continue with the former Benfica striker.
Lima, 33, has struggled for fitness and form since suffering a serious knee injury last December and is not expected to return to training until mid-February. With Ahli’s Champions League campaign to begin on February 20, the club have pursued other options.
However, there exists the possibility to loan Lima to either Brazil or Portugal to help him regain match fitness. Ahli have already had interest from the latter.
The Dubai side have been aware for some time of Leonardo, who excelled in this year’s Champions League by scoring 10 times to help Jeonbuk lift the title, including twice in the final against Al Ain. As such, Leonardo, 30, finished as the tournament’s second top scorer. His ability to play as a second striker or out wide – he regularly featured on the left wing for Jeonbuk – makes him even more appealing to Ahli.
Ahli have looked also at various younger players, although chairman Abdullah Al Naboodah insists Leonardo’s age does not overly concern him.
“Absolutely, he is one of our options, but we’re still thinking of maybe investing in a younger player,” Al Naboodah said. “We’re still juggling a few names. Leonardo is a versatile player with very good skills, who is very good at set-pieces, something we had with Lima but have missed that the past few weeks.
“That’s why we feel Leonardo could be a very good replacement. And also, he plays in a few positions as a forward. We think he’s a very good option.”
Leonardo was asked about his future immediately following last month’s second leg of the Champions League final, but said at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium that any decision would not be taken until after this week’s Fifa Club World Cup. On Sunday, Jeonbuk were eliminated by Mexico’s Club America in the quarter-final.
“I have one more year with Jeonbuk, but in the football life you never know,” said Leonardo, who joined Jeonbuk from AEK Athens in 2012. “Now is the time to sit together with my agents and see what they have for me, but the first thing is that I want to listen to Jeonbuk again. Maybe Jeonbuk want to give a new contract and I’ll listen. But I don’t know what will happen with me in 2017.”
Asked if he would consider playing in the UAE, Leonardo said: “You never know. As I said before, football life is so difficult. Today, you are in Korea, maybe tomorrow you have one offer from China, from Dubai, you never know. But now is the time for celebration, to be with my family and after the Club World Cup we’ll see about me in 2017.”
Ahli believe they have negotiated a reasonable fee for Leonardo, and are seeking to complete any transfer activity - they are also in the market for a new Asian player - as soon as the window opens on December 25. They want to have their new signings available for the double-header with Al Ain: the President’s Cup last-16 clash on December 26 and the rescheduled league meeting five days later.
Having agreed to sell South Korean midfielder Kwon Kyung-won to China’s Tianjin Quanjian for $11 million (Dh40.4m), Ahli have shortlisted three potential successors, all Korean internationals. They have prioritised recruiting a centre-back with a view to strengthening the defence for the Champions League in particular. Ahli are currently negotiating fees with the respective clubs and the financial packages with the players.
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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