Al Ain and UAE star Omar Abdulrahman has reiterated his desire to play in Europe – although he says he is no rush to fulfil his dream.

Abdulrahman has long been identified as one of the rising stars of Asian football, going on trial to Manchester City in 2012 and attracting interest from clubs in England, France, Spain and Portugal.

The 22-year-old struggled for form and fitness last season, but saved his best displays for the AFC Champions League where he led the Boss into the last eight.

That quarter-final tie against Al Ittihad remains his focus for now, although, Abdulrahman has not given up hope of one day playing in Europe.

“Now I’m concentrating on my team matches in the coming season and each footballer has a wish to play for one of the big teams in Europe,” he told the club’s website. “But I’m still young and I know I must double my efforts to reach my target.

"There are no a specific dates for my professional career and as it comes I will take it and I know I will be fully supported by our Sheikhs.”

The frizzy-haired playmaker, who supports both Arsenal and Barcelona, has told officials at the club that he would favour a move to the Premier League.

With Al Ain’s Champions League commitments, and the UAE defending their Gulf Cup of Nations crown in Saudi Arabia in November, before heading to Australia for the Asian Cup in January, Abdulrahman’s immediate future would appear to lie in the Garden City.

The squad are currently in Italy, where they will play English League One side Barnsley on Friday, as they prepare to face Al Ittihad in the last eight of the ACL next month.

“Any player at Al Ain aspires to play in all competitions and to win all titles each season. The biggest challenge in this new season is the ACL,” Abdulrahman added.

“I think the two teams know each other well and both include distinguished players as they played against each other in group stage but the quarter-final is different and Ittihad is well known and deserve our appreciation.

“Al Ain club management decided the priorities and the targets for the team this season and brought in excellent players like (Jires) Kembo Ekoko, Rashed Essa, Lee Myung-joo and Miroslav (Stoch) and I wish they can add value to the team.”

The Boss were paired with Ittihad in Group C, losing 2-1 in Saudi before drawing 1-1 at home. Meanwhile, Bani Yas have decided against following up their interest in Rangers defender Bilel Mohsni.

Reports in Scotland suggested the Arabian Gulf League club had seen a bid for the Tunisia international defender rejected by the Ibrox outfit.

However, while Mohsni was on the Al Shamkha club’s radar, they have decided against making a second bid and will now discuss other defensive options with new coach, Luis Garcia.

“He was one of the options in that position,” first team manager Mohammed Aida said. “But at the end we decided not go with him.”