Botafogo will face another obstacle, bar the high wages, in their bid to sign Al-Ahli striker Grafite, after the former Wolfsburg player revealed he wants to stay in the Middle East.
Grafite, 33, moved to Al-Ahli from the Bundesliga club in June 2011, signing a two-year contract, and appears to be happy with life in the United Arab Emirates.
“My desire is to stay in Dubai with Al-Ahli,” he told Lancenet!
“If this is not possible, then I want to go back to Europe or other places that maybe closer to here, like Qatar. But certainly my priority is to stay at Al Ahli.”
Botafogo are believed to be after two strikers during the close season, after losing Elkeson, who was moved into the centre forward role last season, to Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande.
However, just days after failing to land Internacional striker Dagoberto, it seems that signing Grafite is also unlikely.
“I feel good and strong to play for another three or four years, but I can not predict what will happen tomorrow. It depends on my form, my family and even the club,” he added.
