Jorge Valdivia’s transfer to Fujairah is still on according to both sides, despite speculation that he reneged on his promise to sign with the club.
The Chilean was last week announced as a marquee summer signing by the newly promoted Arabian Gulf League side, and was thought to have agreed to a one-year contract with an option to extend by another two years.
On Thursday night, he was welcomed to Fujairah by his new employers, with the club releasing pictures of Valdivia, wrapped in the club scarf, via social media.
He was reported to have cost US$7.5 million (Dh27.5m) from Palmeiras, the Brazilian first-division side, but Fujairah denied they paid as much for the former Al Ain midfielder.
However, the switch has not been finalised and Valdivia returned home, throwing into doubt whether it will ever materialise.
Original reports stated that Valdivia left the UAE on Friday to attend to his sick wife, yet the following day she posted pictures on social media in which she was enjoying a party with friends.
Fujairah, though, are optimistic the move will come to fruition and expect him back in the UAE “in the coming days”.
Valdivia’s public-relations representatives have confirmed the player is due in the Emirates on August 4, as had been agreed with Fujairah. They were unsure of where Valdivia’s current whereabouts, however.
The reasons for the delay are unclear, with the club telling The National that Valdivia travelled to South America to attend to “business matters”. They also denied there was any problem regarding the terms of the contract.
Rumours have circulated that Valdivia was offered a more-lucrative contract at another club, and that he was considering pulling out of the transfer to Fujairah.
Those claims have not been substantiated.
In the past few days, Valdivia has been linked with Al Ahli, the reigning UAE champions, to fill the foreign-player spot soon to be vacated by his compatriot, Luis Jimenez.
However, The National understands that Ahli have made no approach to Valdivia, and in the past have turned down the opportunity to sign him.
Jimenez is also expected to remain at the Rashid Stadium for the immediate future as coach Cosmin Olaroiu is still assessing his squad. Ahli have six expatriates competing for four places, having last week recruited Mirel Radoi from rivals Al Ain.
Fujairah are still searching for two more foreign players as reports that they had signed Charles Takyi are wide of the mark. They had been in detailed negotiations with the Ghanaian midfielder but decided against the deal.
At present, Fujairah have only Boubacar Sanogo, the Ivorian striker who previously played at Al Ain, and Hassan Maatouk, the experienced Lebanese midfielder, as their registered overseas players.
They envision Valdivia will be confirmed as their third within the next week.
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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