Newly-crowned Asian Player of the Year Yasser Al Qahtani has declared his desire to play in Europe - and claims he is a target of English Premier League side Middlesbrough.
The Saudi Arabia international, who was joint top-scorer at the summer's Asian Cup, became the fourth player from his nation to be crowned the continent's leading player in Sydney when he pipped Iraq duo Younis Mahmoud and Nashat Akram to the accolade.
"I am proud to win this award," said Al Qahtani. "I don't think I was representing myself, but the Saudi people and my team-mates in winning this award."
The 25-year-old Al Hilal forward's win was something of a surprise with Mahmoud, winner of the Asian Cup's Most Valuable Player award, the favourite to become the first Iraqi to claim the title after leading his nation to victory in the Asian Cup final against the Saudis.
But Al Qahtani scooped the prize based on the Asian Football Confederation's controversial points system to join compatriots Saeed Owairan, Nawaf Al Temyat and Hamad Al Montashari as winners of the continent's top individual honour.
Now he has set his sights on playing in Europe and Al Qahtani confirmed reports he had spoken to Middlesbrough striker Mido about moving to England.
"Mido, the Egyptian player, talked to me on the phone and told me that the team manager of Middlesbrough would like to sign me," he said.
"I had some discussions but I left to play at the Pan-Arab Games and then I came to Sydney and nothing has happened, so I don't have a clue what's happening.
"I hope to play in Europe but having said that I already play for a big club. The dream of every player is to play in any one of the European leagues, especially England, Spain or Italy.
"If I was to move I would like it to benefit the Saudi national team and I would like to play in England or Spain.
"The award will support my case but now I feel more responsibility on my shoulders. It will support my bid to play in Europe and I hope to play in Europe."
Iraq collected the Team of the Year award for their exploits - all the more amazing considering coach Jorvan Vieira only took over two months before the start of the Asian Cup.
Uzbekistan manager Rauf Inileyev picked up the Coach of the Year gong.
"I am proud to win this award," said Al Qahtani. "I don't think I was representing myself, but the Saudi people and my team-mates in winning this award."
The 25-year-old Al Hilal forward's win was something of a surprise with Mahmoud, winner of the Asian Cup's Most Valuable Player award, the favourite to become the first Iraqi to claim the title after leading his nation to victory in the Asian Cup final against the Saudis.
But Al Qahtani scooped the prize based on the Asian Football Confederation's controversial points system to join compatriots Saeed Owairan, Nawaf Al Temyat and Hamad Al Montashari as winners of the continent's top individual honour.
Now he has set his sights on playing in Europe and Al Qahtani confirmed reports he had spoken to Middlesbrough striker Mido about moving to England.
"Mido, the Egyptian player, talked to me on the phone and told me that the team manager of Middlesbrough would like to sign me," he said.
"I had some discussions but I left to play at the Pan-Arab Games and then I came to Sydney and nothing has happened, so I don't have a clue what's happening.
"I hope to play in Europe but having said that I already play for a big club. The dream of every player is to play in any one of the European leagues, especially England, Spain or Italy.
"If I was to move I would like it to benefit the Saudi national team and I would like to play in England or Spain.
"The award will support my case but now I feel more responsibility on my shoulders. It will support my bid to play in Europe and I hope to play in Europe."
Iraq collected the Team of the Year award for their exploits - all the more amazing considering coach Jorvan Vieira only took over two months before the start of the Asian Cup.
Uzbekistan manager Rauf Inileyev picked up the Coach of the Year gong.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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