Neill in Al Shabab's sights

Neill, who was cut lose by United Arab Emirates Pro League outfit Al Jazira last month after a single season, is keen to stay in the Middle East.

He is believed to be hunting a $1 million contract for a year whilst Al Shabab values the 34-year-old former Millwall, Blackburn Rovers, West Ham United, Everton and Galatasaray defender at slightly less.

Neill, who picked up $1.5m tax-free during his stint with Abu Dhabi-based Al Jazira, has been on holiday after his last hit-out – for his country in the 1-1 draw against Japan in Brisbane last month.

Meanwhile his agent, England-based Darren Jackson, has been looking at options in the Middle East, China, Europe and the US for the stopper, who remains integral to the plans of coach Holger Osieck as Australia builds towards the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

"Al Shabab are keen on Lucas Neill because of his undoubted quality but his age is probably what may stand against him when it comes to commanding the sort of money that he did last season with Al Jazira," An agent based in Qatar told The World Game.

“But the offer is on the table for the player and the decision is his to make.”

Al Shabab, which reached the semi-final of the 2010 AFC Champions League, has won six Saudi Premier League titles and is the first club in the kingdom to expand its interests beyond football with a five-star hotel and a shopping mall. It also has its own TV network, the Al Laith Channel and even a museum.

Its coach, former Belgium international goalkeeper and two-time World Cup finals player Michel Preud’homme, was at the helm of FC Twente in the Netherlands before taking charge of Al Shabab last season and is known to be an admirer of Neill.

Al Shabab went unbeaten last season with the defence of its crown kicking off next month.

Socceroos talisman Neill is keen to secure his future within the next two weeks with Australia set to take on Scotland in a friendly in Edinburgh on 15 August.