A LUCRATIVE offer from the Middle East threatens to cost Brisbane Roar the services of midfield star Erik Paartalu.

The only player to have started every match for the Roar in their two title-winning seasons, Paartalu is on the wanted list of United Arab Emirates Pro-League Baniyas.

He has twice rejected rich Asian deals since joining the Roar in 2010 in his desire to build a Roar dynasty.

But the 26-year-old Sydney product's bid to extend his Brisbane contract, which has one year remaining, has stalled with the Roar unwilling to meet his terms.

That, plus the chance to potentially earn four times the money at the Abu Dhabi-based club, has Paartalu potentially ready to move.

He is one of three players Baniyas are considering to bolster their midfield.

In his favour is that he is the preferred choice of Baniyas coach Jozef Chovanec, who had Paartalu recommended to him by former Sydney FC mentor Vaacítezslav Lavicka.

Should Baniyas follow through on their interest in the former Australian under-17 representative, he could be gone by the end of the month provided Roar officials agree to sell him. If Brisbane play hardball, it would cost them in the long run as Paartalu would be able to leave on a free transfer when his contract expires next year.

Paartalu was unhappy on Thursday night after being confronted by a Roar staffer over moves made by the player's agent David O'Keefe to secure a permitted third-party sponsorship to help keep his star client in Brisbane.

But his fondness of the club and the Roar fans remains a strong as ever.

"I love this club, the playing group and the supporters, and would love nothing more than to win three A-League titles in a row with the same club," Paartalu said.

"But having turned down two big offers in the past to remain loyal to Brisbane, it's now time to start considering other options and it's been frustrating with how the talks with the Roar have gone to date."

Paartalu's disappointment is in contrast to Brisbane skipper Matt Smith, who has signed an upgraded and extended three-year contract, with the option of a further two seasons.

The 29-year-old defender had attracted interest from two Asian clubs, including Chinese outfit Dalian Aerbin.

Originally published as Erik prepares for Roar exit