Transfer talk: Al Wasl pushing for AEK Athens’ Helder Barbosa

John McAuley reports Dubai club Al Wasl are working a deal for winger Helder Barbosa of AEK Athens.

Al Wasl supporters. Pawan Singh / The National

Al Wasl are attempting to push through a deal for AEK Athens winger Helder Barbosa.

The Dubai club, who have one final foreign slot remaining for the 2016/17 Arabian Gulf League season, have identified the Portuguese as their main target, but have a number of other options should the transfer not materialise.

Wasl initially offered to take Barbosa on loan, however AEK have said they will consider only a permanent deal. Hugo Viana, the midfielder who left Wasl this summer following two seasons with the club, has helped facilitate the deal.

Barbosa, 29, moved to AEK from Portugal’s Braga in 2014 and went on to make 69 appearances for the Greek side, scoring 15 goals. He began his career in 2006 with Porto, but did not make much of an impression and was subsequently loaned out to numerous Portuguese clubs.

Barbosa enjoyed a relatively productive four years at Braga from 2010, scoring 18 times in 108 appearances and winning the Portuguese Cup, although he did spend his final season on loan to Spain’s Almeria.

With AEK, Barbosa helped the club claim the 2014/15 second-tier title as they gained promotion to the Greek Superleague.

Wasl view Barbosa, who can play anywhere on both flanks or as a No 10, as the perfect foil for attacking triumvirate Caio, Fabio De Lima and Ronaldo Mendes, with the latter joining the club earlier this summer.

Sidelined striker Edgar Bruno left the Zabeel Stadium side last week to sign for Turkey’s Adanaspor, while new manager Rodolfo Arruabarrena continues to make the final preparations for his first season in UAE football. Wasl finished sixth in the 2015/16 Arabian Gulf League.​

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