Monday 18 March 2013

Al Ain deny interest in Chelsea skipper Terry

Al Ain have distanced themselves from reports linking them with a summer move for Chelsea skipper John Terry.

A report in the Sunday Mirror had claimed the Pro League champions were one of three UAE clubs interested in bringing the defender to the Emirates.

However, an Al Ain spokesman told Sport360° that the club have no interest in Terry and that the signing of the 32-year-old - a regular visitor to the UAE on holiday - would not fit their player recruitment policy.

"Not only would the signing of John Terry far exceed our budget but we're also only interested in players who are in their prime and who can offer us their best years, like Asamoah Gyan and Jires Kembo Ekoko," said the spokesman.

"We have no need for John Terry. We have the best Emirati defence in the league and prefer to use our foreign quota on attackers who can make more of a difference."

Al Jazira and Al Nasr - who recently appointed former England boss Sven Goran-Eriksson as sporting director - have also been linked with Terry, whose future at Chelsea looks increasingly uncertain after he recently lost his place in the side.

The defender's current deal at Stamford Bridge is due to expire in 2014 and there are currently no talks scheduled to extend his deal beyond next summer.

That all being said, a proposed move to the UAE is still highly unlikely given that clubs - contrary to common assumption - would struggle to match his £170,000-a-week wages.

That, and the fact that clubs are now tending to shun big-name imports in the twilight of their careers to instead focus on bringing players who can offer value on - and not just off - the pitch.

READ MORE:

- Liverpool legend: I'd love to play in the UAE Pro League

 

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