Robert Cornthwaite says European clubs are now targeting Asian players as the game in that region continues to grow.
The former Adelaide United centre-half, who is impressing with K-League outfit Chunnam Dragons, said that plenty of players in the South East Asian area are now being closely looked at by big clubs from European leagues.
"We had a Spanish fitness trainer and in the time he was there, he was getting contacted by Barcelona and Manchester City," he told au.fourfourtwo.com.
"They [European clubs] are all looking in to Asia now rather than Africa and because the mentality of the Asian players is just unbelievable, you can tell them anything and they basically do it straight away."
