Wu Lei has been shortlisted for the Asian Player of the Year Award, the Asian Football Confederation announced on Wednesday.
The Shanghai SIPG and China international striker is joined on the list by Omar Abdulrahman of the United Arab Emirates, who has steered Al Ain to the final of the Asian Champions League, and Iraq's Hamad Ahmed, the leading scorer as his club Air Force won the AFC Cup earlier this month.
Wu, 24, could become only the third Chinese winner of the award.
Wu's nomination comes after he played a key role in Shanghai's run to the quarterfinals of the Asian Champions league in his club's debut appearance in the tournament.
Former Crystal Palace defender Fan Zhiyi was the first Chinese winner of the crown in 2001, being followed 12 years later by current national team captain Zheng Zhi.
The winner will be announced at a gala dinner in Abu Dhabi on Dec. 1, which will also see the confederation honour the continent's leading female player and present a host of other awards.