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Thailand-based former Brisbane Roar midfielder Erik Paartalu has been targeted by three A-League clubs as he considers his next career move.
Paartalu - a standout for Thai Premier League leader Muang Thong United in his 19 appearances this season - is expected to make a decision on his future by the end of the week as Newcastle Jets and two other Australian clubs wait in the wings.
The 28 year-old's Sydney-based agent David O'Keefe dismissed newspaper reports that the domineering midfielder had already agreed terms with Newcastle Jets and would be announced imminently as its latest capture, insisting that any discussions were at an "embryonic stage".
"There has been a phone call from Newcastle and that's about it as this stage but the reality is his current club are happy with him and they are quite keen to extend and there's no truth that he has agreed terms with anybody," O'Keefe said.
"There are also two other teams interested in Australia, one from Sydney and one from Melbourne, as well as the interest from Japan from a club he came close to joining in January.
"But there is nothing formal on the table from anyone at this stage."
Contracted with Muang Thong until December, Paartalu – who is also attracting interest from Japanese second division outfit Jubilo Iwata - has been informed by Australia coach Ange Postecoglou that he must leave Thailand to have any hope of adding to his two Socceroos caps with the 2015 AFC Asian Cup looming.
"Erik will make his mind up on his future in the coming days and he knows that by coming back to Australia he will enhance his chances with the national team," O'Keefe said.
"He wants to be considered again for his country and that will be factor in any decisions he makes."
Paartalau signed for Muang Thong seven months ago after a season with Chinese Super League side Tianjin Teda. Until two weeks ago had played every game for the Thai side, before being sidelined with a quad injury.
He is expected to be fit again within the next 10 days.