Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack could be weighing up a shock move to Dubai, according to reports.
Ballack, 33, will miss the World Cup through injury and looks likely to leave Stamford Bridge this summer after his contract expires.
Many top footballers have been lured to the Middle East on lucrative contracts, with Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro and former Portsmouth striker Aruna Dindane the last major names to go there.
Cannavaro has agreed to sign for Al-Ahli, who want to claim the Asian Champions League title next season, and he could be joined in the United Arab Emirates by Ballack after Al-Wasi and Al-Shabab emerged as interested parties.
A source from the UAE Pro League told the Guardian: “The clubs here know there are some top names from the Premier League who have reached the end of their time there and are looking for a final move. They are ambitious.
“Michael Ballack has been approached and he is now the No. 1 target for clubs. In Italy the chance of bringing [Gennaro] Gattuso here from Milan is being looked at and Cannavaro coming will help that.
"Inquiries have also been made about Guti at Real Madrid," he revealed. Clubs from the UAE are also targeting the biggest names in the world of management as well.
Harry Redknapp has been identified as the number one target for Cannavaro’s new side Al-Ahli who, along with Al-Ain are also running the rule over Ivory Coast boss Sven-Goran Eriksson.
