Shinji Ono ... Wanderers want Japanese star for another 12 months. Source: AAP
Western Sydney Wanderers appear to have beaten off strong opposition from Asian clubs for Shinji Ono and are close to sealing a deal to keep the Japanese star at the club next season.
An announcement is believed to be imminent after discussions were held yesterday in which both parties all but agreed on a new contract that will see him get a significant rise on the reported $500,000 fee he is earning.
Western Sydney was forced to move quickly after recent reports that clubs in China and the A-League were circling Ono, who has been a standout for the competition's new franchise.
The biggest interest is believed to be from Chinese club Shenzhen Ruby, coached by former Japanese national team boss Philippe Troussier. The Frenchman coached Ono during the 2002 World Cup finals and has been desperate to get him to China.
Shenzhen has apparently tabled an offer three times bigger than what Ono is earning at Western Sydney while Perth Glory and Melbourne Heart were said to be showing interest in stealing him away from the Wanderers.
However, the former Japanese international, who has become a cult figure with the Western Sydney fans, has fallen in love with the Sydney lifestyle -- and it has shown in his football.
When Ono arrived in Australia before the start of the season he had little football behind him and there were serious doubts about his fitness.
But Wanderers coach Tony Popovic and his staff have done a brilliant job nursing him through and getting the best out of the playmaker. The rejuvenated Ono has managed 19 games, scoring five goals and providing three assists.
With Ono almost certain to stay on, it is a case of one down, two to go in regards to the A-League's other marquee players, Alessandro Del Piero (Sydney FC) and Emile Heskey (Newcastle).
Both have indicated they would like to play in Australia again next season, but negotiations are dragging on.
Sydney was forced to reject reports the Italian superstar was considering moving on after reports on Saturday that Brazilian club Flamengo wanted to sign him to a two-year deal.
Del Piero's management told Sydney FC chief executive Tony Pignata there had been no interest from the Brazilian club and that Del Piero's brother Stefano would arrive in Sydney this weekend to continue negotiations on a new deal for the 38-year-old.
Meanwhile, Melbourne has won the race to host famous English Premier League club Liverpool at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 25.
Despite a concerted effort by ANZ Stadium and the NSW government, it is believed the Victorian government has pulled off a coup to stage a game against A-League giant Melbourne Victory.
It is a huge comeback into the football market for the Victorian government after being in the doldrums for years and is also seen as a compliment to Destination NSW and ANZ Stadium for their aggressive efforts in the past five years to secure a host of major sporting events.
Organisers believe they will attract close to 100,000 for the match which will see Liverpool play in Australia for the first time. The game will be played five days after Manchester United takes on an A-League All Stars side at a sold-out ANZ Stadium.
A host of Liverpool legends, led by Ian Rush, is expected to make the trip to Melbourne to help promote the game.
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