Shandong Luneng in talks for Rio friendly

China's Shandong Luneng are in talks to play a friendly against two-time Brazilian champions Botafogo later this month, the Rio de Janeiro club revealed on Monday.

Botafogo are hopeful of scheduling the match on January 24 at the Engenhao stadium, which will host Rio's 2016 Olympic track and field events.

The venue had been expected to reopen on February 1 after almost two years of repair work on a faulty roof.

According to Botafogo president Carlos Eduardo Pereira, the date could be moved forward to accommodate the fixture.

"We still depend on some issues (for the match to go ahead)," Pereira told Uol.

"Fans are anxious to return to the Engenhao and this is a good opportunity for it to occur."

Shandong Luneng will play a friendly against Palmeiras in Sao Paulo on January 17.