Zola: Qatar would be ideal destination for Balotelli, Cassano

Italians forwards Antonio Cassano (L) and Mario Balotelli take part in a training session on June 30, 2012 at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev, on the eve of the team's Euro 2012 football championships final match. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/GettyImages)

Al Arabi coach Gianfranco Zola has urged strikers Mario Balotelli and Antonio Cassano to move to the Middle East to jumpstart their careers.

With Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero unwilling to play 10 million euros ($11 million) to purchase Balotelli from Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers seemingly not interested in playing the 24-year-old after a poor first season at Anfield, the Italy international needs to find a new home.

Cassano, who has also been linked with Sampdoria, is a free agent after leaving Parma in January.

Zola, who took over at Qatar Stars League club Al Arabi on July 11, reckons a stint in the tiny West Asian kingdom could give Balotelli and Cassano a stress-free period to focus on football and regain confidence.

In an interview with Sky Sports Italia, Zola said: "They [Balotelli and Cassano] are two top players, and it could be an excellent opportunity for them to play in a league with less scrutiny, recharge their batteries, and return to Europe as protagonists."

But the former Italy international may struggle to sign either of his compatriots if they are interested, as Al Arabi already has seven foreign players on its books - the maximum allowed in the Stars League.

"We are crowded but if I had the opportunity [to sign them], I would not give it a second thought," Zola said.

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