Nilmar set to join Qatar’s Rayyan

Nilmar, who was with Spain’s Villareal, reportedly wants to quit the club after they were relegated last season. A statement on Al-Rayyan’s website said: “Nilmar of the club Villarreal is coming to Doha to complete negotiations... He will be a great addition to the attack.” However, a potential move to the Middle East is a surprising one. The former Internacional forward, who was a member of the Brazil squad at the last World Cup, turns 28 years old on Saturday, and has attracted interest from clubs both in Europe and back in his homeland. Should he move to the club which finished third in the 12-team Qatari league last season, he will add to a Brazilian contingent that already includes former Middlesbrough striker Afonso Alves and ex-Besiktas midfielder Rodrigo Tabata. Meanwhile, Senegalese midfielder Issiar Dia has signed for Qatari champions Lekwhiya from Turkish club Fenerbahce. Lekhwiya have paid nearly US$5 million for the player, no other deatils of the deal have been released. The 25-year-old previously played for French side Nancy and joined Fenerbahce in 2010 and won the league title with them a year later. The Istanbul club had chosen not to renew his contract. Dia was part of the Senegal squad at the Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon earlier this year but missed last month’s 2014 World Cup qualifiers with an injury Last week Lekhwiya signed Tunisia international Youssef Msakni from African champions Esperance, although he will not join the club until January. from gulf times