Al Ain star Omar Abdulrahman is still a target for Premier League champions Manchester City, academy chief Brian Marwood said.
The 21-year-old attacker had a week-long trial at the Etihad Stadium earlier this season but saw a permanent deal fall through due to work-permit issues, but Marwood stressed the club are still hoping to bring the UAE international to Manchester.
Speaking to Sport 360, Marwood said: "(Abdulrahman) is a very talented young player. Our chairman organised for him to come over and spend some time with us.
"I think he enjoyed the experience, we enjoyed having him with us. He's come back here and done very well and is a real talent.
"There are some real challenges getting a player like him to be able to play in England which is very frustrating because it's one that we would seriously look at.
"But we continue to monitor him, we keep in touch with him, we are aware of how he's developing."
Abdulrahman made his debut for Al Ain as a 17-year-old, going on to score 21 times for the club, and has built up a strong partnership with former Sunderland striker Asamaoh Gyan.
He has also earned 16 caps for UAE, scoring four, and received significant plaudits from the likes of Ryan Giggs after a string of very impressive performances at last year's Olympics
