Singapore vice-captain Hariss Harun is a spot of bother as he was not able to seal a loan move to Europe before the end of the continent's transfer deadline day - 31 January.
The Lions midfielder's Malaysian club Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) announced last December that Hariss will spend the 2017 season on loan at either a Portuguese or Japanese club. Notably, it was the then JDT coach Mario Gomez who had announced the club's decision of arranging a loan move. However, the Malaysia Super League side replaced the former with Benjamin Mora, who was working with JDT II.
And with the Southern Tigers having already secured four foreigners, it will be impossible for the Singapore international to play in Malaysia despite having a contract with the club till 2018. With no offers coming his way from Europe, J.League is likely to be his possible destination.
However, if he is unable to land a deal before start of the new season, the 26-year-old might have to miss first-team football action at least until the June transfer window. An S.League return is also unlikely as the Singapore clubs will not be able to afford the national team midfielder, who reportedly earns $30,000 a month at JDT.
Hariss though believes JDT will sort something out for him in the coming days and said he did not want to warm the benches but keep playing football at the highest level.
"I want to be playing games, I don't want to just be training. (But) I am sure the club will try to sort something out for me and I will just wait to hear from them in these next few days," Hariss said, as quoted by Today.
"I am still waiting to hear from JDT; anywhere like Europe, Japan or Thailand, wherever is available, I will consider (it). Of course, for me, I want to play at the highest level as long as I can."
While Geylang International and Tampines Rovers, according to the report, have said they cannot afford Hariss, the latter's vice-chairman Christopher Wong revealed that he could still be part of the Stags in the upcoming season if JDT are willing to play his wages. Despite the interest, he also said that a J.League move will be good for his "personal growth and development".
"He [Hariss] a quality player that would be a good pull factor. [But if JDT don't pay his wages] then it will be tough for the local clubs as most, if not all, would have finalised their budget and teams already," Wong said.
