Demba Ba among strikers on Ahli shortlist but no bid made

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  • Under consideration: Ba.

    Demba Ba is “one of many” strikers under consideration as fallen Arabian Gulf League champions Al Ahli look to add bite to their toothless attack.

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    The Red Knights struggled badly in front of goal last term, limping into seventh after scoring just 35 times in 26 top-flight matches.

    They are determined to correct this problem in the summer with an extensive list of targets drawn up.

    Reports in the Turkish media have stated a €10 million (Dh41.4m) bid is set to be made by Ahli to land 30-year-old Ba from Besiktas ahead of overtures from the Chinese Super League and Premier League side West Ham United, whose new boss Slaven Bilic wants to be reuinted with the player who struck 18 times in 29 Turkish Super Lig appearances under him last term.

    But a senior Ahli club official has declared the powerful former Newcastle and Chelsea star is just one of a number of options being considered this early in the transfer window and no bid has been made.

    “Ba is certainly a player who interests us, but he is just one of many strikers we are looking at,” they said. “No bid has been made yet or formal negotiations entered. We are definitely not at that stage.”

    The Senegal international has been in Dubai with his young family during the past week, though this was strictly for recreational reasons. Any potential move will occur from the end of this month when leading figures and coach Cosmin Olaroiu return to the UAE.

    Ahli’s attack was the sixth-worst in the 2014/15 AGL, seriously affecting the defence of their league crown.

    A failed pursuit of a replacement for club legend Grafite after his winter-market departure hampered this drive, sole centre forward Ahmed Khalil notching just five times in 24 league appearances.

    The UAE international redeemed himself at the end of the campaign, scoring vital goals as the Red Knights made the AFC Champions League knockout stage for the first time and in last month’s President’s Cup-final defeat to Al Nasr. However, this upturn in form from Khalil will not stop them recruiting an elite striker.

    Ahli came close to landing Newcastle and Senegal striker Papiss Cisse in February, a last-minute €13 million (Dh53.8m) transfer fee demand torpedoing their bid.

    Despite this, Ahli insist they will not be returning to the table for the player who has struck 34 times in 96 Premier League matches.

    Similarly, they have rejected the opportunity to enter talks to sign Fenerbahce’s Emmanuel Emenike. The Nigerian has been offered to several AGL sides – as well as those in the Qatari Stars League, Russian Premier League and CSL.

    Ahli have no interest in recruiting a player who struck just four times in 27 matches in Turkey’s top flight last season. 

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