The club are thought to be still interested in signing the 23-year-old, who has been likened to former world player of the year Zinedine Zidane.

The midfield playmaker said: "I want to play in England, so much, It's the best league in the world. I'm good enough, I trust myself, I believe in myself."

Akram had signed for City earlier this year but his work application was rejected because Iraq were two places short of a top-70 world ranking, a criterion for automatic approval.

"The deal was done, my medical, my contract, but they sent me back," he said. "There was nothing I could do."

Manchester City boss Sven Goran Eriksson had described Akram as "an elegant footballer" and said the denial was a big blow to the club.

He added: "It's not about the money, I can earn money in the Middle East. I want to play in the Premier League. It's different to anywhere else in the world, even the rest of Europe, but I can play there, I can adapt.

In January, Iraq's football federation and Manchester City both submitted unsuccessful appeals against the work-permit refusal.

Several British politicians have since lobbied government ministers, saying Akram was a role model for Iraqis and the denial "sent out the wrong messages".

"The rules are so difficult in England," said Akram, who lives with his family in Jordan. "I just want to try and show people that Iraqi footballers can make it."