UAE transfer news: Sharjah locking horns with West Ham to recruit Manuel Lanzini

With Al Jazira looking to move Argentine Manuel Lanzini, Sharjah have found themselves in a recruiting war with West Ham United.

Manuel Lanzini shown during an April Arabian Gulf League match with Al Jazira. Ravindranath K / The National
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Sharjah could have a battle on their hands to sign Argentine Manuel Lanzini with English Premier League club West Ham United reportedly interested in acquiring the Al Jazira starlet.

Lanzini, who arrived on a four-year deal worth US$10 million (Dh36.7m) from River Plate last summer, scored eight goals in 24 appearances to help Jazira to a second-place finish in the Arabian Gulf League last season. Despite that impressive return, Lanzini is deemed surplus to requirements at the Abu Dhabi club for the 2015/16 season and Jazira are believed to be courting offers for the 22-year-old midfielder.

West Ham are said to be keen to take the exciting playmaker, nicknamed "La Joya" (The Jewel), to England on loan this season with the option of making the move permanent should he impress at Upton Park.

Sharjah, who have two vacant slots in their squad to sign foreign players, have contacted Jazira with regards to bringing the former Argentina Under 20 international, who also holds an Italian passport, to Sharjah Stadium.

Read more: The National's Transfer Talk page

“Sharjah have shown an interest in Lanzini and the Jazira management is looking at the offers,” said a club official. “Of course, the player will have a say as well.”

Sharjah have retained only two of their foreign players from last season – central defender and captain Mauricio Ramos and striker Wanderley.

They have added defender Hamdan Qassim, signed on a one-year deal from Al Shabab, and midfielder Waleed Ahmed from Ajman on a free transfer as they attempt to overhaul a squad that finished 12th of 14 teams last season.

Al Dhafra look set to complete their foreign quartet for next season with the signing of Spanish striker David Barral.

The 32-year-old frontman, who started his career with the Real Madrid reserve team in Spain’s lower divisions, has arrived in Abu Dhabi for his medical and will sign a one-year deal if he receives the all clear.

Barral, who spent the past two seasons at La Liga side Levante where he scored 18 goals in 67 appearances, is expected to play behind Makhete Diop, the Senegalese who has been retained for a fourth season.

The club is desperate to reinforce their forward line after scoring only 31 goals in 26 games in the league last season.

The other members of Dhafra’s foreign quartet are Iraqi defender Ahmed Ibrahim and Argentine midfielder Jorge Luna.

The club have already bolstered their front line with the signings of Emiratis Abdullah Qassem and Ahmed Ali and have made inquiries for Al Ain’s 24-year-old striker Hamad Al Ahbabi.

arizvi@thenational.ae

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