Al Ain Board Member Mohammed Obeid Hamdoun has all but confirmed that Emmanuel Emenike will depart the United Arab Emirates top - flight club in the winter transfer market and has questioned the commitment of the former Nigeria international.
The 28 - year - old joined Al Ain from Fenerbahce on a season - long loan deal last summer but the agreement between both clubs and the striker will not be honoured before its expiration, with a move to the Chinese Super League being mooted for the Nigerian.
“ And Emmanuel, we have one team from China and (parent club) Fenerbahçe want to take him back, ” Hamdoun stated.
“Sometimes you bring one big name and he doesn’t want to play – that’s my opinion on Babel and Emenike. I think they didn’t want to play here.
“I saw Emenike in the World Cup with Nigeria and he was a good player. But when he came here he scored only seven goals. With the local players we have here? ” Zlatko Dalic, coach of Al Ain commended Emenike for his efforts at the club throughout his 6-month loan spell.
“I want to say thank you to Emenike and Babel for the last six months with us,”Dalic said.
“I wish them all the best next season at a new club. This is football, this is life. Also, we did everything that our fans wanted of us. I hope to make them happy. We’ve had a great half season. I’m sure we’ve had great transfer window and did everything our fans expected of us.”
Al Ain have already signed Brazilian striker Douglas as replacement for Emenike on their roster.