Bani Yas' Belfodil eyes big European move

Matt Jones - Editor 23:30 25/07/2016
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  • Ishak Belfodil (c) arrived at Bani Yas last summer from Parma.

    The 24-year-old former Internazionale frontman was prolific in his debut Arabian Gulf League campaign in 2015/16, notching 11 goals in 23 appearances following a summer switch from Serie A side Parma.

    Belfodil is back in pre-season training with the Sky Blues but told France’s L’Equipe newspaper that he desires a return to a “major” European league. “I realised that money does not make me happy, because I simply love football more than the money,” Belfodil was quoted as saying by L’Equipe on Sunday.

    Belfodil revealed Bani Yas have given him permission to terminate his two-year deal early, which would mean him forsaking potential earnings of ¤2.3m (Dh9.2m) this season.

    The deadly young forward, however, says his desire to leave the Emirates is fuelled by his love of football over money. “I’m 24 and do not want my name to be forgotten in the world of football,” he said.

    “Since the first moment I decided to play in the Gulf, I was convinced I would not stay forever. I signed a contract for two seasons and the club gives me the freedom to terminate the contract. I want to go back to Europe and play for a club in a major league, and for that I am ready to make great sacrifices.”

    Belfodil, who started his career at French Ligue 1 giants Lyon, struck up a deadly partnership with Argentine Joaquin Larrivey last season, the ex-Celta Vigo striker netting 15 AGL goals. However, after a promising start, Luis Garcia’s men fell away in the second half of the season. Garcia was sacked before the campaign’s end and the Sky Blues finished a lowly ninth.

    News of Belfodil’s desire to leave is another blow for the managerless club, who have already lost UAE international Amer Abduldrahman and Fawaz Awana to Al Ain and Al Nasr respectively this summer.

    Belfodil said he had no remorse about joining Bani Yas, adding he has received offers from several Greek sides so far.

    “I am responsible for my choices and despite the fact joining Bani Yas was not part of my goals, they did not put a knife to my throat in order to accept the offer,” he added. “They gave me an offer that was difficult to reject. I have received some offers from Greek clubs in the Europa League, but I want to return to a major league. I’m open to anything.”

    Befoldil’s desire to leave will feel all too familiar for Bani Yas, who signed France’s 1998 World Cup-winning star David Trezeguet in 2011. However, his stint lasted bar-ely three months before he left to join his boyhood heroes River Plate, a move that proved money is not always king in the modern game.

    It is understood the ex-Juventus star took a substantial paycut to join the Argentine giants, evidenced by his claim: “For me football is passion and I wasn’t getting that in Arabian football.”

    Ex-Australia, Parma and Lazio midfielder Mark Bresciano also criticised the strength of football in the Middle East in the wake of his exit from Dubai’s Al Nasr in 2012.

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