UAE striker Ali Mabkhout on verge of dream move to La Liga

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  • Flying high: Mabkout has been in fine form, contributing 16 goals in this AGL campaign.

    UAE and Al Jazira hotshot Ali Mabkhout’s dream of a summer switch to Europe has moved closer after he revealed a pair of unnamed La Liga clubs had contacted him in the last fortnight.

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    Mabkhout, 24, has enjoyed a breakthrough season. He was top scorer when the Whites finished third at both the Gulf Cup and Asian Cup, stating during the latter tournament in January that a Bundesliga side had registered interest in his services.

    He sustained this form throughout the 2014/15 Arabian Gulf League campaign, his calm finish in Sunday’s 4-2 final game thrashing of Al Wasl moving him onto 16 goals. This represented the highest tally of his career thus far, more than double his return from 2013/14.

    In contrast to international colleague Omar Abdulrahman who followed up a superstar turn at the Asian Cup by inking a three-year Al Ain contract extension, the striker has repeatedly voiced his ambition to become the first Emirati to move permanently to football’s traditional heartland.

    The possibility has now seeming increased as more sides try to get involved in the process of extracting him from the Middle East.

    “We have talked to clubs from the Premier League [before] and two weeks ago, two teams from La Liga,” Mabkhout said. “But until now, there is nothing [concrete].

    “I like the Premier League, I would hope to be there or La Liga. They are good for me, the Spanish league would be good for me.”

    Mabkhout was in devastating form as he led the line against the Cheetahs, finishing a one-on-one with effortless ease and having a hand in two of winger Jonathan Pitroipa’s three goals.

    This result allied with Al Shabab’s surprise 1-1 draw against Al Dhafra saw the Pride of Abu Dhabi secure second spot, ahead of the President’s Cup kick-off on Thursday against Ajman.

    When asked whether he hoped this would have been his last AGL game, he replied: “I hope, I hope so. We will see.

    “We will talk after the President’s Cup with the club and we will see [what happens]. I do not know what will happen in the future.”

    He added: “I think I am ready for my next step, if I decide to go to Europe and a big league.”

    Mabkhout has blossomed at club level this term in a front three containing Burkina Faso winger Pitroipa and Montenegro centre forward Mirko Vucinic.

    The latter pair possess extensive European experience. Pitroipa starred in Germany for Hamburg before last summer’s transfer from France’s Rennes, with 25-goal AGL leading marksman Vucinic heading to the UAE at the same time following a trio of Serie A title wins at Juventus.

    Their example has left their mark on Mabkhout, vowing to keep pushing himself to ensure if a European move emerges he is in the best condition to make a success of it.

    He said: “I need to work harder for myself. It is not enough for me, I need to keep working as it will be difficult [playing in Europe]. It will not be the same [as playing in the UAE].”

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