Vietnamese midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai. — Photo phapluatxahoi.vn

According to the foxsportsasia.com website, Hai is the hottest property in Southeast Asian football at the moment.

He has enjoyed a sterling 15 months starting last January when he helped Vietnam reach the final of the AFC U-23 Championship.

Since then, he has been in inspirational form as the Golden Stars won the AFF Suzuki Cup, reached the quarter-finals of AFC Asian Cup 2019 and finished fourth at last year’s Asian Games.

Hai has already garnered interest from several clubs across Asia but V.League 1 defending champions Hanoi FC are said to be reluctant to cash in on his services yet, although that could just prove impossible if an offer from Europe comes through.

Besides Hai, the website called Takefusa Kubo, who has scored four goals in 12 starts in the J1 League so far this season, the Japanese Messi”.

Special mention was also give to Alireza Beiranvand of Iran; Chanathip Songkrasin of Thailand; Almoez Ali of Qatar; and Jo Hyeon-woo of South Korea.

VNS