Denizli vetoed Nekounam's Pas move

AFC – Iran star Javad Nekounam has told FootballAsia.com that his proposed move to German side Kaiserslautern was blocked by Pas coach Mustafa Denizli, who insisted that the influential midfielder is too valuable to their AFC Champions League campaign.

“He (Denizli) didn’t agree with my transfer as he said that he needs me for the ACL games but has promised to release me after the AFC Champions League,” said Nekounam, who coolly converted last minute penalties against Al Salmiya and Al Rayyan which were crucial in Pas’ progression to the quarter-finals.

With some outstanding performances in Pas victorious 2003/04 national league campaign and on the international stage with Iran, Nekounam looks set to join the ever-increasing ranks of Iranians plying their trade outside the Islamic Republic.

And Nekounam, who celebrated his 25th birthday one week before Pas’ 1-1 draw with Al Ain in the first leg of their quarter-final clash last Wednesday, knows that despite the disappointment of the postponement of his move overseas, a good showing in the Champions League can only further increase his stock.

“Doing well in the ACL can push me forward for a swifter transfer to Europe which will make me try harder in putting in good displays.

“I will play as well as possible but not just for me but so I can help Pas get the AFC Champions League title.

“This will benefit both me and football in Iran as it is clear that myself and all my teammates feel we are representing Iran and want to achieve honour for our compatriots.”

Nekounam confirmed that Kaiserslautern, 2005 AFC Champions League qualifiers Al Ahli, the UAE side who wanted him to replace Asian player of the year Ali Karimi, and two unnamed Qatari clubs made concrete offers but that the move to English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur was just “paper talk”.

And just as the Champions League witnessed the last performance on the Asian club stage for Karimi before his move to German giants Bayern Munich, the current ACL could be the last such adventure for Nekounam.

“It’s undoubtedly an ambition for me to play abroad and I think that the football styles of Germany and Spain are similar to Iran’s so I would prefer to join a team from one of these two countries,” said the in-demand Iranian, who will line-up for Pas in the second leg of the quarter-final against Al Ain, which kicks-off at Tehran’s Dastgerdi Stadium at 18:05hrs local time.