Al Nasr confirm interest in Copa America duo as club overhauls foreign quartet

Al Nasr have confirmed they are monitoring South American duo Edgar Benitez and Cristian Rodriguez, with both players currently starring at Copa America.

Edgar Benitez is currently in Chile on Copa America duty and is on Al Nasr's radar. Osvaldo Villarroel / EPA / June 16, 2015
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DUBAI // Al Nasr have confirmed they are considering making moves for Edgar Benitez and Cristian Rodriguez, who are both starring for their countries at the Copa America.

Benitez, 27, scored the only goal in Paraguay’s win over Jamaica, while Uruguay’s Rodriguez also found the net against the same opponents in another 1-0 victory.

Humaid Al Tayer, a member of Nasr’s board of directors, said the club was “closely following” the performance of the two players at the Copa America after the duo were offered to the Arabian Gulf League club a “while ago”.

“We had some communications with them, but the coach [Ivan Jovanovic] preferred to wait for a technical report before we initiate formal contracting procedures,” Al Tayer said.

Nasr, who won the Arabian Gulf Cup and President’s Cup double last season, have decided to change all four of their foreign players — Senegalese forward Ibrahima Toure, Australian midfielder Brett Holman, Spain’s Pablo Hernandez and Renan Garcia of Brazil — ahead of the new season.

“Our aim is to bring such players who are able to help the team build on the successful season we had,” Al Tayer said. “We are looking forward to winning the league title now and flying the UAE flag high in the AFC Champions League.

Al Tayer also said the club is seeking to sign three new Emirati players for the next season.

Jovanovic will miss the services of winger Fahad Hadeed, who has been ruled out for six months following a cruciate ligament surgery.

Hadeed, 21, picked up the injury in the President’s Cup semi-final win over Al Shabab and had surgery last week in the Italian city of Bologna.

Denilson to Al Wahda

Meanwhile, former Arsenal midfielder Denilson has confirmed he is leaving Sao Paulo and is expected to complete a move to Al Wahda.

The Brazilian is expected in Abu Dhabi next week to undergo a medical and complete the deal.

In a statement released through his press office, the 27-year-old had accepted to leave “with a heavy heart because everyone knows my passion for Sao Paulo”.

“About my next destination, I want to speak only after signing the contract,” he said. “For now, I prefer to wait until everything is official.”

According to the GloboEsporte.com, Denilson is expected to sign a three-year deal with Wahda, with the value of the transfer being estimated at €3.1 million. The player will be receiving double the wages he is currently getting Sao Paulo.

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