Jazira striker Mabkhout now linked to Al Ittihad

Abu Dhabi - The 24-year-old, who is a front runner to win the Emirati Player of the Year award at the Arabian Gulf League awards on Sunday night, has a three-year contract with the Pride of Abu Dhabi.

The silly season in football continues and so does speculation surrounding Al Jazira's ace Emirati striker Ali Ahmed Mabkhout. The UAE international, who was earlier connected to Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal last month, is now being linked to another Saudi Arabian club Al Ittihad.
Ali Mabkhout, the Golden Boot winner at the AFC Asian Cup in Australia in January, was reportedly quoted as saying to Dubai Sports Channel on Thursday night that he had received an official offer from Al Ittihad.
The 24-year-old, who is a front runner to win the Emirati Player of the Year award at the Arabian Gulf League awards on Sunday night, has a three-year contract with the Pride of Abu Dhabi.
Mabkhout has always expressed a desire to test himself outside the UAE. He had evoked interest from some Spanish and German clubs after he struck five goals including the fastest goal in Asian Cup history. The fastest goal also earned him a Guinness World Records certificate.
Mabkhout was linked to Al Hilal in June but the club dismissed it as rumours and went on to say that they did not reach any full transfer or loan deal. They said that he was committed to the club with a three-year contract. Meanwhile, Abel Braga is all set to arrive for his second stint with Al Jazira. Brazilian coach Braga, who guided Al Jazira to their maiden and only League title in the 2010-11 season, will arrive in the UAE Capital on Saturday. He replaces Belgian Eric Gerets at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.
Al Jazira have signed Brazilian playmaker Thiago Neves from Al Hilal as a replacement for Argentine Manuel Lanzini, while midfielder Park Jong-woo joined from Chinese Super League side Guangzhou R&F. Park replaced Jucilei da Silva. The Al Jazira squad will train until July 20. before travelling to Austria for a pre-season camp until August 12. They are scheduled to play five friendlies
james@khaleejtimes.com