Japan's Jubilo eye Brazilian Edmilson
Reuters - Tuesday 20 May 2008, 10:15
Japan's Jubilo Iwata are weighing up a move for Barcelona midfielder Edmilson, whose contract at the Spanish club expires at the end of June.
Jubilo, Japanese champions in 1997, 1999 and 2002, are in danger of relegation after suffering a third successive J-League defeat at the weekend and have identified the Brazilian as a potential saviour.
"He's one of the players we have short-listed," Jubilo told Reuters on Tuesday. "The holding midfield role is a high priority position for us."
Jubilo are preparing to offer Edmilson a multi-year deal worth around 1.5 million euros ($2.32 million) a year, according to Japanese media.
The versatile 31-year-old, who helped Brazil win the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, has also been linked with a move to Primera Liga side Villarreal.
Spanish media have reported that he has undergone a medical with Villarreal and will sign a two-year deal with the club who finished as runners-up to Real Madrid in this season's title race.
Formerly of Sao Paulo and Olympique Lyon, Edmilson helped Barcelona win the Champions League two years ago but withdrew from his country's 2006 World Cup squad with a knee injury.
Barcelona, who ended a second successive season without a trophy, have said that of the players ending their contracts this season only Brazilian fullback Silvinho is likely to remain at the club.
Reporting by Alastair Himmer, additional reporting by Simon Baskett; Editing by John O'Brien