Thiago Neves determined to prove himself at Al Jazira despite Saudi interest

Al Jazira midfielder, second left, controls the ball against Al Wahda during an Arabian Gulf League match on September 18, 2015. Delores Johnson / The National

Thiago Neves has rejected the opportunity to join Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli in favour of proving himself at Al Jazira.

The Brazilian midfielder, a summer signing from Al Hilal, has struggled through his first few months in the UAE, failing to replicate the form that convinced Jazira to recruit him on a three-year deal for a reported €11 million (Dh44m) fee.

In 19 appearances for his currently employers, Neves has scored seven goals. The capital club sit 10th in the Arabian Gulf League after 14 rounds having last month replaced coach Abel Braga with Henk ten Cate.

Read more

Last week, Jazira signed Kenwyne Jones and Angel Lafita from Cardiff City and Getafe respectively, with Neves expected to make way. At present, the Abu Dhabi side also have on their books Park Jong-woo, Jefferson Farfan and Mirko Vucinic, although the latter is sidelined with injury until the end of the season.

Neves, though, has repeatedly stated his desire to remain at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, while his affinity with Hilal means he is reluctant to return to a rival Saudi club. He scored the opening goal in Friday's 2-2 draw at fourth-placed Al Wasl and maintains he is fully committed to Jazira.

Ahli, currently joint top of the Saudi Pro league, had registered their interest, especially since Neves’s stock remains high in the country given his previous two spells at Hilal.

During his time with the Riyadh club, Neves won the Saudi league, the Crown Prince Cup and the Kings Cup. He also played an integral role in the team’s progress to the 2014 Asian Champions League final. In 112 matches for Hilal, he scored 60 goals.

However, whether Neves continues at Jazira seems dependent on the club’s success in signing a foreign defender. They have previously stated their need to bolster a back line that has conceded more than two goals per game thus far in the 2015/16 AGL.

Meanwhile, Al Wahda have signed South Korea’s Rim Chang-woo from Ulsan Hyundai FC on a two-year deal. The defender, who last year made his national team debut, arrives in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday and replaces in the squad Hussain Fadhel. The Kuwaiti joined Wahda in 2013.

Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE

Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport