Braga close to signing former Benfica and Portugal man Pizzi | OneFootball

As reported by Portuguese outlet A Bola, SC Braga are continuing their pursuit of Al-Wahda’s former Portugal international Pizzi Fernandes this transfer window and hope to complete the deal by the end of the month.

However, there remain obstacles to overcome for Braga, who currently sit second in the Portuguese top flight – four points behind Benfica, if they are to sign the 33-year-old attacking midfielder who left Benfica for the Middle East last year.

Os Arsenalistas believe their title chase, possible Champions League football next season and an ambitious project generally will be enough to convince the former Atlético Madrid and Deportivo La Coruña man to return to the club where he emerged from the academy as a teenager back in 2007.

Returning to the city where he was born is an attractive proposition for the player, say the outlet, but Braga are unable to match the €2m yearly salary on offer at the UAE club, nor the wage the player received at Benfica, due to Braga’s €600k self-enforced salary cap.

Estoril, currently five points clear above the bottom three in 13th, have also spoken to the player but are unlikely to be able to offer a sufficient wage.