Johor set sights on LionsXII duo
Both Hariss Harun (No 14) and Baihakki Khaizan (No 5) helped the LionsXII win this year's Malaysian Super League. (TODAY file photo)
With a few more months to go before the completion of the 2013 Malaysian domestic football season, but Johor Darul Takzim (DT) are already planning for next year.
Poised to land former Argentina international Pablo Aimar, the big-spending Malaysian Super League (MSL) side now have their sights set on LionsXII midfielder Hariss Harun.
"Hariss is on the list. His defensive qualities make him a standout, which the Johor team lacks," a source with the club told TODAY.
LionsXII defender Baihakki Khaizan is another player thought to be on the radar as Johor DT President Ismail, who is also Crown Prince of the state, announced on the club's Facebook page on Sunday that five new players will be signed to strengthen the squad.
"The team management has reached an agreement with five new players to turn out for Johor DT next season. We are also in talks with a few others in preparation for the new season," said Ismail.
"In line with the Johor Football Association's (FA's) principle of bringing in big names for the team, we are close to reaching an agreement with Pablo Aimar."
Johor Darul Takzim have shown a willingness to pay big money - it reportedly paid Spanish forward Daniel Guiza an annual salary of RM1.6 million (S$640,000), while Malaysian international Safee Sali drew about RM100,000 a month.
Both Hariss and Baihakki helped the LionsXII win this year's MSL, the Singapore side's first Malaysian league title. According to a Johor source, overtures have already been made to the duo. While the move would be a lucrative option for Baihakki - after two seasons with the LionsXII - it could be harder to lure Hariss across the Causeway.
In May, TODAY reported that Jorge Mendes, the agent who represents the likes of Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, is working towards securing trials for Hariss in Europe, possibly with Portuguese clubs.
Meanwhile, it is unclear whether Fandi Ahmad has been redesignated as Johor DT's assistant coach for the rest of this season, or whether he will step down as head coach in the coming season.
TODAY had reported on its website on Saturday that the club will be replacing Fandi with a Spanish coach, believed to be former Atletico Madrid and Valencia coach Cesar Ferrando Jimenez, with the former Singapore skipper being re-designated as the club's assistant coach.
"For now, we have made the decision to get the services of a new team manager from Spain," said Ismail in the statement. "He is a manager with vast experience, having managed clubs like Valencia and Atletico Madrid. Fandi Ahmad will continue to be with the Johor DT team as assistant coach."
However, according to a club source, the change is only expected to take place next season.
Promoted from the Malaysian Premier League last season, Johor splurged on star names in a bid to win silverware this year.
Apart from Guiza and former Lazio midfielder Simone Del Nero (who were both replaced in April by Argentinian Leonel Nunez and Brazilian Andrezinho), they also acquired the likes of Malaysian internationals Safee, Safiq Rahim and Norshahrul Idlan Talaha.
However, the club finished third in the 12-team MSL, three points behind league champions LionsXII, after faltering in the final stages of the title race, and also lost 1-0 to Kelantan in the Malaysian FA Cup final last month.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
Both Hariss Harun (No 14) and Baihakki Khaizan (No 5) helped the LionsXII win this year's Malaysian Super League. (TODAY file photo)
With a few more months to go before the completion of the 2013 Malaysian domestic football season, but Johor Darul Takzim (DT) are already planning for next year.
Poised to land former Argentina international Pablo Aimar, the big-spending Malaysian Super League (MSL) side now have their sights set on LionsXII midfielder Hariss Harun.
"Hariss is on the list. His defensive qualities make him a standout, which the Johor team lacks," a source with the club told TODAY.
LionsXII defender Baihakki Khaizan is another player thought to be on the radar as Johor DT President Ismail, who is also Crown Prince of the state, announced on the club's Facebook page on Sunday that five new players will be signed to strengthen the squad.
"The team management has reached an agreement with five new players to turn out for Johor DT next season. We are also in talks with a few others in preparation for the new season," said Ismail.
"In line with the Johor Football Association's (FA's) principle of bringing in big names for the team, we are close to reaching an agreement with Pablo Aimar."
Johor Darul Takzim have shown a willingness to pay big money - it reportedly paid Spanish forward Daniel Guiza an annual salary of RM1.6 million (S$640,000), while Malaysian international Safee Sali drew about RM100,000 a month.
Both Hariss and Baihakki helped the LionsXII win this year's MSL, the Singapore side's first Malaysian league title. According to a Johor source, overtures have already been made to the duo. While the move would be a lucrative option for Baihakki - after two seasons with the LionsXII - it could be harder to lure Hariss across the Causeway.
In May, TODAY reported that Jorge Mendes, the agent who represents the likes of Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, is working towards securing trials for Hariss in Europe, possibly with Portuguese clubs.
Meanwhile, it is unclear whether Fandi Ahmad has been redesignated as Johor DT's assistant coach for the rest of this season, or whether he will step down as head coach in the coming season.
TODAY had reported on its website on Saturday that the club will be replacing Fandi with a Spanish coach, believed to be former Atletico Madrid and Valencia coach Cesar Ferrando Jimenez, with the former Singapore skipper being re-designated as the club's assistant coach.
"For now, we have made the decision to get the services of a new team manager from Spain," said Ismail in the statement. "He is a manager with vast experience, having managed clubs like Valencia and Atletico Madrid. Fandi Ahmad will continue to be with the Johor DT team as assistant coach."
However, according to a club source, the change is only expected to take place next season.
Promoted from the Malaysian Premier League last season, Johor splurged on star names in a bid to win silverware this year.
Apart from Guiza and former Lazio midfielder Simone Del Nero (who were both replaced in April by Argentinian Leonel Nunez and Brazilian Andrezinho), they also acquired the likes of Malaysian internationals Safee, Safiq Rahim and Norshahrul Idlan Talaha.
However, the club finished third in the 12-team MSL, three points behind league champions LionsXII, after faltering in the final stages of the title race, and also lost 1-0 to Kelantan in the Malaysian FA Cup final last month.
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
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