Former Stoke City attacker Oussama Assaidi has told the Dutch media he headed to the Middle East for the money despite being advised by Mark Hughes to remain in the Premier League.
Assaidi went on to say he doesn’t believe those players who say they head to the Middle East for sporting reasons because he believes they’re going for the lucrative salaries.
“I asked Mark Hughes if I should take the chance. He told me that I was a real Premier League footballer, but the offer I received was maybe a once in lifetime. I went for the money. I will not deny it. I hear others say they go to the Middle East for the sport, but who believes that?”
Assaidi spent two loan spells with Stoke City from Liverpool, but was recalled early by the Merseyside club in 2015. The Morocco international then joined Al Ahli for a transfer fee close to £5m, but he recently terminated his contract with the Dubai club.
