Financial shift
NEWAPPROACH: 2017 is for Darul Ta’zim to recoup what has been spent
THE coming season could see significant change in Super League and FA Cup champions Darul Ta’zim’s squad with several key players having received lucrative offers from elsewhere.
As the club prepare to tighten their purse strings, the likes of Safee Sali, Aidil Zafuan Radzak and Amri Yahyah could be on their way out while Darul Ta’zim would not turn down offers for forwards Juan Martin Lucero and Jorge Pereyra Diaz if the price is right.
Police goalkeeper Haziq Nadzli, 18, and Selangor midfielder Nazmi Faiz Mansor have signed with Darul Ta’zim while young Kuala Terengganu T-Team winger Safawi Rashid has also been linked with the Johor club.
Club owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim revealed in a dialogue with fans in Johor Baru on Wednesday that Darul Ta’zim will not go on a spending spree for 2017 after splashing out the cash since 2013.
“Next year we might not set any targets.
“Perhaps the real target is to make more money,” said Tunku Ismail in comments posted on the Johor Southern Tigers Facebook page.
“With the construction of the new stadium, new training ground and the new players we are going to sign, I can foresee that our budget will not be big.
“Our target is to try and recover the money that we’ve used since 2013 till 2016.
“God willing, we will start spending again in 2018 or 2019.
“In the meantime, 2017 will be the year where we will recover all the money that we’ve used.”
Tunku Ismail said the club are not averse to allowing their top players, including Argentines Lucero and Diaz, to leave if the right offers come along.
“We need to first evaluate the offers presented to us.
“I really need to think carefully because Lucero’s a player who has contributed a lot to the team and has scored a lot of goals,” said Tunku Ismail.
“However, should I get a good offer, I will release him. The same goes to Diaz too. If I get a good offer, I will also let him go despite the fact that he is our top scorer.”
Tunku Ismail revealed that winger Nazrin Nawi has asked to be allowed to join newly-promoted Super League side Malacca, while Amri and Safee have received offers from Selangor and Pahang respectively, as have Aidil and his twin Zaquan Adha.
“Regarding Amri Yahyah, it’s up to (coach) Mario Gomez.
“If Mario feels that Amri still can contribute and suits the (club’s) playing style, we will keep him,” added Tunku Ismail.
“But if it’s otherwise and should there be other young players able to take over his position and suit our style of playing, we will let him go.”
With widespread change expected at the FA of Malaysia following the elections on March 25, Tunku Ismail said he will attempt to persuade Safiq, Aidil, Amirulhadi Zainal and S. Kunanlan to end their international exile.
“I’m trying to convince Safiq, Aidi, Kunanlan and Amirulhadi to return to the national team next year,” said Tunku Ismail, who plans to bring in a Spaniard to replace Ong Kim Swee as national coach should his candidate, Tan Sri Aseh Che Mat, win the FAM presidency.
“Because I see the national team have no concept. We have good players but no football direction.”