Melbourne City ramp up bid to bring Tim Cahill home to A-League

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This was published 7 years ago

Melbourne City ramp up bid to bring Tim Cahill home to A-League

By Dominic Bossi
Updated

Australia's all-time leading scorer is one step closer to coming home with Melbourne City ramping up their pursuit of Tim Cahill following the transfer of their marquee Aaron Mooy.

The 25-year-old Socceroo made the lucrative switch from Melbourne City to their parent company Manchester City on a four-year deal that will make him one of the highest earning Australian athletes. His departure to the English Premier League has freed the club to make aggressive moves in the transfer market with Cahill firmly emerging as one of their priorities.

The transfer of Mooy means the A-League's wealthiest club is now in a position of considerable luxury heading into the transfer window with a full allocation of marquee players, three visa-player spots on their roster and a guest player at their disposal. City have both marquee positions to fill as well as a guest player for the entire season available to them with the latter understood to be reserved for Cahill.

The new rule plays into the hands of City who are already in discussions to fill one of their marquee roles with a new contract for striker Bruno Fornaroli. In an enviable position with seemingly endless cash to spend, it leaves Melbourne City as the only potential Australian suitor for Cahill.

Coming home? Melbourne City want to bring Tim Cahill to the club after Aaron Mooy's departure to Manchester City.

Coming home? Melbourne City want to bring Tim Cahill to the club after Aaron Mooy's departure to Manchester City.Credit: Getty Images

Some are put-off by his price tag, others not convinced of the return they would get from a 36-year-old. Some clubs are looking for alternative marquees while others simply not in the hunt for players outside of the cap. That there is no fight for Australia's most recognised footballer should raise a red flag. However to whom? The game? The league or the player? Perhaps all.

The writing is on the wall prompting Cahill back to Australia. It was first put forward indirectly by Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou, who made no secret of his low opinion on the standard of the Chinese Super League following a tour in April.

Cahill's selection in the national team has not yet come under threat but his role is increasingly becoming less clear. Stoushes with the FFA this year dealt a blow on the player's public image, where questions of his motivation formed the basis of fans' criticism. A lack of vision was cited by Cahill, a lack of funds by the FFA and despite whatever reassuring words have been exchanged since, only a firm commitment from one will satisfy the other and placate the public.

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The FFA desperately need a player of Cahill's marketability to kick off the A-League next season. Whether the veteran striker acknowledges it or not, he needs to silence some critics and consolidate his image. The two seem at an impasse, however there is one option that could satisfy both parties, clubs and punters.

Cahill could quash all suggestions of financial motivation by offering to sign inside the salary cap. Suddenly he would be affordable, viable and less of a risk for many financially strapped A-League clubs. Such a move would make him even more marketable.

He has shown signs of generosity in the past and another move would make the biggest name in Australian football easily command a handsome third-party or external sponsorship deal that would supplement his income but not at the cost of the game.

Interest remains strong in China, including his current team Huangzhou Greentown but they may not be able to best satisfy his other passion – grassroots football and leading junior academies.

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