Melbourne Heart’s re-awakening as Melbourne City has begun with five confirmed outs and a galaxy of rumoured ins.
Since a takeover by Manchester City was announced in January, fan and media speculation has drooled over the prospect of new international and Australian marquee players.
Those two spots are free from the constraints of the A-League salary cap, used to bring talent such as Alessandro Del Piero, Shinji Ono and Harry Kewell to the league.
The latest is a report from English tabloid The Daily Star, which suggested Heart would sign England and Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard at the eye-watering rate of $100,000 after tax a week.
While Heart dismissed the speculation as “absolutely without foundation”, the links to marquees of quality suggest the scale of their ambition.
Tim Cahill, Josh Kennedy and Mark Bresciano have all been touted as Australian marquees though each has drawbacks.
Cahill, the highest-profile Socceroo, is in the middle of a stint with New York Red Bulls and is thought uninterested and unavailable.
Bresciano has trained with Heart recently but is contracted to Qatari side Al-Gharafa while Kennedy’s J-League contract expires in December – well after the A-League season starts.
Heart’s “two Johns” – coach van `t Schip and football director Didulica – have spent the last two weeks with Manchester City as they seek to renew their playing list for the next season.
Top of van `t Schip’s shopping list should be a new defence after announcing the release of five defensive players on Wednesday.
Patrick Gerhardt, Sam Mitchinson, David Vrankovic and Jeremy Walker have been axed, while Turkish side Buraspor has recalled Aziz Behich after a year-long loan.
Of those, Behich will be the most missed, having held down the left-back position for much of the season.
That leaves Heart with just 13 contracted players, with at least seven spots due to be filled.
Following Sunday’s A-League grand final, Heart is expected to start announcing those positions, as well as the inevitable re-branding to Melbourne City with a similar sky blue kit of their parent club.
Socrates
Guest
you forgot Roula, Toula, Soula, Voula, Foula and Agape
Socrates
Guest
You forgot Roula, Toula, Soula, Voula, Foula and Agape
Franko
Guest
Couldn't be an Australian Marquee could he? He was born and raised in Greece and his Dad lived in Greece since he was a teenager. Still if Heart could wangle it, they could get two star marquees, hell why not have Richard Porta or Georgios Samaras up front with Lampard behind?
JonJax
Guest
Samaras, back in Melbourne would be an inspired choice for marquee -on sooo many levels- not just on the pitch. Off the pitch the marcom folk would really go to town with the "local boy returning home after testing himself on the world stage"- story. Lot's of pictures of a happy Georgios back in Melbourne town with his many Melbourne cousins Anita, Diane and Nick, Taki, Sophie, Kari, Nick, Nick, Nick, Nick, Nick, Nick and Nick.
Ben
Guest
Interestingly enough, Samaras would be an Australian Marquee, as he was eligible to play for the socceroos before he joined the Greek Side. Although it's a tad unrealistic, it would be an amazing signing as he's still well and truly in his prime.
Brisvegas
Guest
I would have thought there'd be some loan signings from ManC, where ManC pay a proportion of the wages. I'm sure a stint in Australia would be as good as a stint in the Championship.
Bondy
Guest
Most of those names omitted didn't really get much game time anyway. I wouldn't call Kennedy are marquee player he can jump and head the ball something Asian's struggle at.
ArsenalFan700
Guest
Samaras would be an amazing signing, not only for the Heart but the league. Ya, not as big as past marquees but Samaras would increase the quality a bit and that is what we need. And honestly, after winning the Premiership by a massive margin I would imagine Samaras wants a challenge.
Punter
Guest
Lets hope the Heart sets the standard that the others have to follow.
Franko
Guest
Depending on who is signed, I'd be looking at Iain Ramsay to fill the left-back role. Lampard would be a huge signing as he is still at the top of his game and very very fit. I still think they'd do well to look at Georgios Samaras, who of course played at Manchester City for a few years and is out of contract this summer, still only 29 though.
Roger
Guest
Interesting times ahead for Melbourne City, and the A-League. RIP Heart.