Five West Asians ready for a Europe move

GOAL – ASIA, Inevitably during January, there is going to be a lot of transfer speculation. However there has been plenty involving players from the Middle East to big European clubs.

Oman international Saad Al Mukhaini had a trial with English giants Arsenal, while UAE Olympic captain Hamdan Al Kamali once again received enquiries from French heavyweights Olympique Lyonnais.

There have been others too, with Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi joining Russian club Rubin Kazan, while 2008 AFC Young Footballer of the Year Ahmed Khalil was reportedly linked with seven-time French champions Monaco.

So Goal.com has put together a list of five young and current West Asia-based players who European clubs should monitor and perhaps make a move for during the January transfer window.

HAMDAN AL KAMALI | UAE & Al Wahda, Defender, 22

The UAE Olympic national team captain is his country’s brightest young prospect and accordingly he has attracted the interest of European clubs, such as Lyon and Portsmouth. The composed centre-half has stated his ambition to become the first Emirati footballer to play at a top European club, however, Lyon’s advances have been thwarted by Al Wahda who want a suitable transfer fee. Good on the ball, strong in the air and with a good positional sense, he is one player ready for Europe.

SAAD AL MUKHAINI | Oman & Fanja SC, Defender, 24

The young Omani left-back hit the headlines earlier this month when it was revealed he had earned a trial with Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal. Nothing seems to have come from the trial, but it was a glowing endorsement of his talent. Al Mukhaini had been recommended to Wenger by Oman’s ex-Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain coach Paul Le Guen who labelled him “one of the best players in the country” and insisted he could do well in a big league.

KARIM ANSARIFARD | Iran & Saipa, Striker, 21

The 21-year-old has been linked with clubs such as Everton and Borussia Dortmund in the past, but remains in Iran due to conscription issues. It does not look like that situation will change anytime soon as he signed a two-year deal with Saipa last July, but the man dubbed the heir to Ali Daei could be a player worth the wait. The athletic striker has already scored seven goals for his country, including the winner in a 1-0 victory over North Korea at the 2011 Asian Cup, while he scores for fun in Iran with 11 in 19 games this season.

NAIF HAZAZI | Saudi Arabia & Al Ittihad, Striker, 23

While there is not a great history for Saudi Arabian footballers in Europe, 23-year-old Hazazi is a player who can buck the trend. For starters, there’s something a bit unique about the big forward. Hazazi is a mix of pace and power, and is always a handful for opposition defences particularly with his aerial strength and heading prowess. The Green Falcons striker is still very raw and can let his emotions get the better of him, but he has plenty of potential and offers something different which could be worth a punt in Europe.

HASSAN MAATOUK | Lebanon & Ajman, Striker, 24

Maatouk is a hugely popular player in his homeland – although he is currently on loan at UAE club Ajman – and at just 171cm tall, he has evoked modest comparisons with Lionel Messi. The Beirut-born striker had spent his whole professional career in Lebanon prior to his move to Ajman last September where he has thrived with a bundle of goals for a struggling team, showing he is a player capable of adjusting to a new environment. The step-up to Europe is another challenge altogether, but Maatouk’s exploits at national team level also hint he’s up to the task.