July 23 – With the transfer window open in West Asia one of its star players, Omar Abdulrahman, is looking for a new club.
In West Asia the league season follow the European season even though the AFC Champions League is currently set to enter its last 16 knockout.
Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal, will go into the next stage of the competition without the mercurial attacking midfielder Abdulrahman, who the club have decided to end contract renewal negotiations with.
The United Arab Emirates international was the AFC player of the year in 2017 and a year ago was the highest profile transfer in the region.
However, having damaged an anterior cruciate ligament he spent two much of the season for the two-time AFC Champions League runners-up sidelined.
His injury also kept him out of the AFC Cup in the UAE in January, a big loss for his national side at their home tournament.
An Al Hilal statement said: “The club’s management started talks with the player before our training camp in Europe, as he had asked to renew his contract before that camp even though there was still one month remaining on his contract.
“Because of his previous injury, we wanted to renew the player’s contract after he had passed a medical test. The player passed the medical examination and then demanded an increase in the financial part of the contract.
“We adjusted our offer, and gave him 24 hours to reply, to make sure that we get this matter resolved quickly. We have extended the deadline several times, but we have still to receive a reply,” the statement continued.
“We have therefore decided to end the negotiations and we thank Omar Abdulrahman for the time he spent with the club, and wish him all the best for the future.”
Al Hilal meet local rivals Al Ahli Saudi in the first leg of their 2019 AFC Champions League last 26 showdown on August 6.
No new club has been announced for Abdulrahman.
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