DUBAI // Al Nasr have shifted focus to other targets after their bid to sign Roma’s Marquinho failed because the Brazilian prefers a move back to his homeland.
Nasr had an offer accepted by the Italian side last month, believed to be around €1.5 million (Dh6m), but they could not convince the midfielder to make the switch to the Arabian Gulf League.
Nasr remain in the market for three foreign players to complement Luis Jimenez, the new signing who replaces Brett Holman as the club’s Asian representative for the 2015/16 season. Pablo Hernandez, the Spaniard on loan last season, has not been retained despite helping Nasr capture both the Arabian Gulf Cup and President’s Cup.
However, the management maintain they will seek replacements for Ibrahima Toure and Renan Garcia only if they identify improvements on the pair. Toure was the league’s second most prolific striker last year, scoring 18 goals, while midfielder Garcia excelled in the latter part of the campaign at the heart of Ivan Jovanovic’s defence. An alternative for Marquinho remains a priority, though.
“We have alternatives and hopefully we can announce something very soon,” said a Nasr board member. “We have some players from the top leagues in Europe and South America, so we’ll see what happens.”
Meanwhile, Nasr have denied they are interested in Oscar Cardozo, the Paraguayan striker currently at Turkey’s Trabzonspor.
Reports emerged last week linking the Dubai club to the former Benfica forward, but they were wide of the mark, the club official said.
Nasr have had a number of enquiries regarding Toure, although they will wait to see if they can find a better option up front before considering those.
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Seoul from Dh3,775 return, including taxes
The package
Ski Safari offers a seven-night ski package to Korea, including five nights at the Dragon Valley Hotel in Yongpyong and two nights at Seoul CenterMark hotel, from £720 (Dh3,488) per person, including transfers, based on two travelling in January
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Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
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Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
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MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
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Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)
Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm
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World Cricket League Division 2
In Windhoek, Namibia - Top two teams qualify for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which starts on March 4.
UAE fixtures
Thursday February 8, v Kenya; Friday February 9, v Canada; Sunday February 11, v Nepal; Monday February 12, v Oman; Wednesday February 14, v Namibia; Thursday February 15, final
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