This is a bit weird, this... There is a quote that crops up in the Azeri press that supposedly originates from the fax "a representative of EFC" sent to Neftchi about Abdullaev needing to play for the national team in order to apply for a working permit. The thing is, the 75% rule only applies to teams ranked above a certain position in the FIFA rankings and Azerbaijan fall short of that. The only way Abdullaev gets a working permit is through the exceptional talent route and I'd be surprised if we have already processed the application and got it approved before any official announcement.
Anyway, here is what we (or at least the Azeri press) know:
- Everton may or may not have sent a certain agent (Mr. Dasos) as their representative to Baku early last month - I'm somewhat skeptical about it - who has confirmed that we're taking up the option in January.
- Neftchi have received official communication from Everton that there are ongoing negotiations with the FA about a work permit and that depending on their outcome, Abdullaev may arrive on Merseyside as early as this month.
- Neftchi have renegotiated Abdullaev's contract in order to facilitate the transfer.
Yesterday, Neftchi put an official
announcement (link is to the english version, but it's more intelligible in russian). The Mail have represented the key points accurately, with the exception of the "three year contract" that is nowhere to be seen in the Azeri sources. I'd rather wait for a confirmation that the working permit has been granted before welcoming Araz to Everton.
