Joel Griffiths (centre) is being squeezed out of Shanghai Shenhua by high profile strikers Nicolas Anelka (L) and Didier Drogba. Source: The Daily Telegraph
SYDNEY FC and the Wanderers are poised to go head-to-head in the market for a new striker after Frank Farina confirmed he needs more firepower to turn around the sky blues' season.
The incoming Sydney FC coach wants a forward and a defender but The Daily Telegraph understands the Wanderers are also in the market for a new striker after scoring just five goals in nine games.
Croatian import Dino Kresinger has so far failed to record a goal for his new club, leaving the Wanderers with the dubious honour of creating the most chances but scoring the least number of goals.
It means the cross-city rivals will both be pursuing a limited market, at least in Australian terms, with former Socceroo Joel Griffiths the most in demand after his contract expired with Shanghai Shenhua.
Both of Adelaide's experienced No.9s, Bruce Djite and Sergio van Dijk, are off contract at the end of the season but it's understood United are loathe to release them early to an A-League club, despite the fact that van Dijk has a bit-part role at best but commands some $6000 a week.
Other than Kresinger, the Wanderers have only 20-year-old Joey Gibbs as a natural striker, with Mark Bridge having operated on the left side of the attack.
Earlier this year the club was heavily linked with former Young Socceroo Brent McGrath, who has been at Denmark's Brondby for the past three years. But McGrath has recently broken back into the Danish club's first team after a year of inactivity.
Griffiths was in talks with Western Sydney weeks ago, though he disputed reports Wanderers had rejected him.
In Sydney on holiday, the striker yesterday confirmed he is yet to decide on his plans for next season.
"I'm keen to come back but I'm not desperate," he said. "I have to wait on a couple of things, and my wife is pregnant too.
"I'd like to know by December 15 so I can get training again and be ready for wherever I'm going. I don't think I'll be going back to Shanghai Shenhua (where Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba are currently still signed).
"But the last couple of years I've been a bit antsy about where I'm going, whereas this year I'm really quite laid-back. We'll see what happens."
Wanderers have one visa spot left thanks to the dispensation they were given to sign an extra two above the usual limit of five.
Sydney FC have their full complement, but with the club having been forced to play Alessandro Del Piero as a lone striker, Farina confirmed that added firepower is a priority next month.
"I'd like to bring some players in during the January window - one, maybe two," he said. "But it's whether the players I like are available.
"There are a lot of ifs and questions. I'd like one up front, also defensively, but I am not going to be able to bring a lot of players in."
No comments:
Post a Comment