$2.5 million tabled by Saudis Al-Hilal for Argentinian ace Batistuta

MEF - Sources close to Saudi league champions Al-Hilal revealed today the club is interested in luring the services of Argentina international centre-forward Gabriel Batistuta.

"Club president Emir Abdullah Bin-Mossaed is leading the negotiations with the player," sources today daily Al-Riyadh today.

Brazilian striker Anderson De Paulo Sabinho, formerly at Feyenoord Rotterdam, is the only foreign player on display at Al-Hilal who are trying to fill the 3-foreign players quota per club.

"We are talking about a $2.5 million deal for one year with Batistuta, the player wants having the figure raised," added the same sources.

Al-Hilal are gearing up themselves for the upcoming Asian Champions' League quarter-finals stage to be held next month in Al-Ain city (UAE), with the participation of the hosts, Iranian giants Esteghlal and Qatari outfits Al-Sadd.

The ultimate winners of the round-robin tournament will claim a berth to the semi-finals stage of the event.

Batistuta was recently linked with a move to Turkish giants Fenerbahce who are reportedly willing to invest $3 million for one season.

Al-Hilal have history in bringing some of the most celebrated internationals stars to domestic competitions here in Arabia, an ongoing processes which started back in 1979 when they signed Brazilian schemer Rivelino to give the side a better international exposure.