Mahdavikia to leave Hamburg, if team fails to qualify for UEFA Cup

IRNA - Iranian international foward Mehdi Mahdavikia is to depart German first division team Hamburger SV, should the team fail to qualify for a berth in the European Cup competitions, media reports said Thursday.
"If we play internationally, I will stay with Hamburger SV. There would be no reason to leave," Mahdavikia was quoted as saying in the Hamburger Morgenpost newspaper.
Hamburg is currently ranked fifth in the league standings which would qualify them for a UEFA Cup spot.
Meanwhile Mahdavikia's manager, Reza Fazeli has postponed all contract extension negotiations until the end of May when the Bundesliga season ends.
Several English football clubs, among them powerhouse Manchester United, are reportedly keen on signing Mahdavikia.
Considering Mahdavikia as the best right winger in the Bundesliga,Hamburg's coach Kurt Jara has repeatedly voiced his concern that the former Pirouzi player could be signed up by other top European teams after the expiration of his contract in the summer of 2004.
The soft-spoken 25-year-old player is currently leading the Bundesliga assist list and has played a decisive role in his team's recent string of victories.