Abu Dhabi: Bani Yas have been forced to tell another of their foreign contingent to forget about leaving this summer.

As Gulf News reported on Wednesday, the Abu Dhabi club’s Algerian striker Ishak Belfodil outlined his desire to play in a major European league in an interview with France’s L’Equipe sports newspaper.

This prompted Bani Yas’s vice-chairman, Mubarak Bin Meheiroom, to say on Wednesday evening: “We do not have any desire to dispense with the player’s services and he will continue his contract with the club for another season.”

The 24-year-old Belfodil, formerly of Italian sides Parma and Inter Milan, only moved to the Sky Blues last summer but appears to be disillusioned with life at a club who finished in mid-table mediocrity last season.

His situation echoes that of the club’s Australia midfielder, Mark Milligan, who said earlier this month that Bani Yas bosses had maintained that he would have to honour his contract amid rumours of a move to Europe.

Milligan told the Australian press that he and the Socceroos coach, Ange Postecoglou, had agreed to his UAE switch last summer given that it would not be long term.

Belfodil, who netted 14 times last season in 29 appearances in all competitions for Bani Yas, appears to harbour similar feelings, telling L’Equipe: “Since the first moment I decided to play in the Gulf, I was convinced I would not stay forever.

“I signed a contract for two seasons and the club gives me the freedom to terminate the contract. I want to go back to Europe and play for a club in a major league, and for that I am ready to make great sacrifices.”

Bani Yas can only hope that the imminent arrival of a new coach may help change Belfodil’s mind.

As Gulf News reported on Tuesday, the Uruguayan Pablo Repetto will sign a two-year deal with the Abu Dhabi club on July 30 after presiding over his side Independiente del Valle’s second leg of the Copa Libertadores final with Atletico Nacional on Wednesday.

Bani Yas have also already added the Al Ain midfielder Fellipe Bastos to their squad, with Amer Abdul Rahman moving in the opposite direction.