Al Hajri denies offer from French club for Omar

Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajri, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al Ain Football Club, has denied that the club had received an offer for their talisman Omar Abdulrahman from French Ligue 1 side Nice but said that the player's move to Europe would be path-breaking for Emirati football.

Earlier this month, reports on social media said that the record Arabian Gulf League champions had received an offer from Nice for the UAE international. Although there had been no word from the club, at that point in time, some reports on social media said that the loan deal has been rejected by The Boss.

The French club sent a letter to Al Ain FC dated June 27, which said: "We confirm our interest for the transfer registration of the player Omar Abdulrahman to OGC Nice on a loan basis with an exclusive purchase option as of this summer transfer window 2017 in order to give him the opportunity to play the UEFA Champions League with our Club. In this context, thank you to let us know the financial conditions under which this loan might be possible. Look forward to hear from you."

But Al Hajri, who visited Al Ain's pre-season camp in Austria, said that the club hadn't received any official offer for the AFC Asian Player of the Year.

"We heard about the news that there is an offer from a French club. But we haven't officially received any offer," Al Hajri said in a statement on the club's official twitter handle.

Al Hajri did add though that if there was any official offer on the table, the club management will take appropriate steps. "Omar is an asset for entire Asia and not just Al Ain. We are proud of him. In case of offers from any European club, the club management will deal with it according to the leadership of Al Ain FC," he added.

But Al Hajri did say that if Omar did make the step up to Europe, it will be a massive accomplishment for Emirati players. "Everyone knows about Omar's potential and he is a player who can qualify to play in Europe. He will pave the way for Emirati footballers, personally, as well as Al Ain," said Al Hajri.

Meanwhile, Omar and four others - Khalid Eisa, Ismail Ahmed, Amer Abdulrahman and Ahmed Fahim - had left the camp and travelled to Barcelona for routine medical tests. They rejoined the camp on Wednesday.

The club also renewed the contract of 23-year-old striker Yousef Ahmed. The contract has been renewed for one year with the option to renew.

Meanwhile, Swedish international Marcus Berg scored on his first run-out with Al Ain, in a 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli in a friendly on Thursday. Striker Douglas, who has been retained on coach Zoran Mamic's request, scored the other goal, from a penalty.

The in Austria will run until August 12 and Al Ain are scheduled to play another friendly against Germany's Hertha Berlin on August 7. Mamic is also keen on playing against another German side FC Cologne prior to their return to the UAE.

Al Ain are in the quarterfinals of the AFC Champions League and take on Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal in the first leg at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain on August 21. The return leg is on September 11 at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Source: Khaleej Times