Saudi Arabian giants Al-Hilal dismiss rumors about signing Portugal star Ricardo Quaresma

Ricardo Quaresma in World Cup action with Portugal. (Reuters)

• Defending Saudi Arabia champions Al-Hilal have denied that they are chasing Portuguese star Ricardo Quaresma
• Various media outlets in Portugal reported that new Al-Hilal coach Jorge Jesus was keen to tempt his compatriot to Saudi Arabia

LONDON: Defending Saudi Arabia champions Al-Hilal have denied that they are chasing Portuguese star Ricardo Quaresma, but there is plenty of feelgood factor ahead of the new season as injured and loaned-out stars report for pre-season training.
Over the weekend, Portuguese media reported that the Riyadh giants were ready to offer Quaresma’s current club Galatasaray at least €10 million ($11.7 million) for the services of the 34-year-old who scored a fantastic goal for the European champions against Iran at the World Cup.
“It’s not true,” Al-Hilal president Sami Al-Jaber told Arab News. “There are a lot of rumors around at the moment that are not true.”
Various media outlets in Portugal reported that new Al-Hilal coach Jorge Jesus, who led Benfica to three Primera Liga titles, was keen to tempt his compatriot to Saudi Arabia for the 2018-19 Saudi Pro League season.
As well as the talent and experience that Quaresma would have provided to the defending Saudi Arabia league champions, press speculated that the arrival of the former Barcelona and Inter Milan winger would have helped bring out the best from Salem Al-Dawsari.
The Saudi Arabian winger scored the injury-time goal against Egypt in June to give Saudi Arabia a first World Cup win since 2006.
Al-Dawsari is back in Riyadh after his five-month loan deal with Spanish giants Villarreal and is one of a number of existing big-name players who are ready to return to action for Al-Hilal.
Carlos Eduardo is also available. The influential Brazilian attacking midfielder sustained a cruciate ligament injury in the 2017 AFC Champions League final against Urawa Reds in November and has not played since.
Saudi Arabia international Nawaf Al-Abed is also fit again after a groin injury kept the playmaker out of the 2018 World Cup. Also available is Syrian striker and 2017 Asian Player of the Year Omar Khribin.
These stars all missed this year’s AFC Champions League campaign that saw Al-Hilal fail to progress past the group stage as well as much of a domestic season that ended with the lifting of league title No. 15.
“To have our best players ready to play are the best signings we can make,” an Al-Hilal official said.
“They are top-class players and we missed them all. It doesn’t mean we won’t look to strengthen the squad in the transfer market as we want to challenge at home and in Asia next season.”
The defending champions have also been linked with Ecuador international Juan Cazares, a midfielder who currently plays his club football for Atletico Mineiro in Brazil.
The first overseas deal of the summer was done last week however with the arrival of Alberto Botia, a former understudy to Gerard Pique at Barcelona.
The center-back left Greek giants Olympiacos in May after four seasons.
“I am delighted to join a club the size of Al-Hilal,” Botia said. “I really want to help the team win the title and will give everything to make that happen.”
Al-Hilal will step up their pre-season preparations with a training camp in Austria starting on July 14 and includes five friendly games against European opposition.