Al Ain hope to have beaten CSL bid for striker Douglas

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  • In demand: Sanfrecce’s Douglas (l).

    Al Ain are confident they have seen off the financial might of the Chinese Super League to land their first-choice striking target Douglas.

    Douglas, 28, has been pursued by the Boss after they decided to investigate ending Emmanuel Emenike’s season-long loan deal from Fenerbahce.

    Interest from an unnamed CSL team emerged on Monday night, which Al Ain feared would lead to a last-minute snub because of the huge sums available there.

    But it is hoped the player and his representatives will land in the UAE imminently to undergo medical examinations after they verbally consented to the move and a €4 million (Dh16m) fee was offered to parent club Tokushima Vortis.

    The Brazilian has come onto their radar after a stellar temporary spell at Sanfrecce Hiroshima, where his 21 goals helped secure the 2015 J League title and second spot in the scoring charts for himself.

    He also struck twice in the third-place match at the 2015 Club World Cup as Sanfrecce defeated AFC Champions League winners Guangzhou Evergrande.

    The Arabian Gulf League champions  opened talks last week with J2 League-side Vortis.

    Huge sums have been spent on luring elite players to China in recent years. The Boss decided to cash in on club legend Asamoah Gyan in the summer after a ‘double the money’ €20m (Dh82m) offer was made by Shanghai SIPG.

    This flow of talent has continued during the winter window.

    The headline buy has seen Beijing Guoan outbid a trio of Bundesliga outfits to land Brazil and Corinthians playmaker Renato Augusto.

    Al Ain have until the close of the transfer window in the UAE on January 25 to procure a replacement for Emenike.

    The recently-retired Nigeria international has failed to impress both on and off the pitch, with three of his seven goals in 14 appearances coming from the penalty spot.

    Despite a series of listless displays, reports in Turkey have also stated Fener are interested in a recall after replacements Robin van Persie and Fernandao failed to fire.

    Emenike has continued to train with the AGL leaders ahead of their match at Al Wasl on January 23.

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