The UAE could soon be celebrating its first homegrown footballer to permanently ply their trade in one of Europe’s major leagues, as English and German clubs explore the possibility of signing talented Al Wahda winger Yahya Al Ghassani.
The 21-year-old is attracting strong interest from the Bundesliga and negotiations are already under way with the Clarets to seal a historic switch.
Sources close to the player have revealed to Sport360 that Premier League outfit Burnley have also joined the race for his signature.
If completed, the seismic transfer for UAE football would see Al Ghassani become the first player born in the Emirates to seal a move to one of Europe’s top-five competitions.
Al Ghassani already has his name in the history books after he emerged as the standout member of the group allowed to feature in the Arabian Gulf League during 2018/19 after the decision by UAE President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, that children of Emirati women born to foreign fathers will be able to compete in official UAE competitions for the first time.
And last season was a breakout campaign for the tricky left-winger.
After his first three deeply impressive displays for Wahda, the club immediately extended his one-year deal to tie him to the Abu Dhabi side until 2023.
He was then fast-tracked into the UAE Under-23 set-up during their bid to qualify for Tokyo 2020 and he finished an electric debut season with eight goals to his name for club and country.
Born and bred in the UAE to an Emirati mother and a father who holds Tanzanian and Omani passports, it’s not the first time Al Ghassani has attracted European onlookers.
Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain and Spanish sides Malaga and Leganes all kept tabs on him prior to him sealing a move to Wahda.
But the interest from Germany is concrete and the young attacker has long held an ambition to make his mark in Europe.
A player with massive potential, hallmarked by skill and will, Al Ghassani’s work ethic has always impressed.
He was first spotted by the Manchester United Academy during a two-week camp in his early teens before settling in Dubai side Al Ahli’s youth set-up when he was 15.
Now, there is genuine hope that the dexterous Al Ghassani can use his dancing feet to break ground in Europe.
Indeed, others have come close, most notably when Al Ain and UAE superstar Omar Abdulrahman dazzled during a trial with Manchester City in 2012 before work permit issues scuppered any deal.
In the same year, seasoned UAE international and Wahda defender Hamdan Al Kamali was loaned to Lyon but only featured for the reserves.
His younger brother Hamid spent time on loan with Maltese outfit Valetta FC in 2014, even turning out in the preliminary stages of the UEFA Champions League, the first – and only, to date – Emirati to feature in the competition.
