Earlier this week Tony Popovic announced that he would be staying at the Western Sydney Wanderers until the end of the 2016-17 season. The Wanderers finished second from the bottom this year following their Premier’s Plate win and Asian Champions League triumph.
Plenty of rumours have been brewing in Parramatta with Wanderers frontman Tomi Juric said to be linked with moves to Europe.
The Wanderers’s exited the group stage in the Asian Champions League despite a 0-2 win over Chinese team Guangzhou Evergrande midweek, and earlier that day Juric’s future was brought into question after a fake Facebook post stated that he was set to play his last game for the club.
Controversy arose as the Australian striker turned down a move to Italian Serie A giants Juventus, who visited Australia last August and who Juric scored the second goal against.
Juric has been linked to other moves in Italy such as Sampdoria, who enquired in February, and Empoli, where fellow Australian Joshua Brillante is currently on loan.
The Wanderers’ other Australian striker who joined earlier this year, Kerem Bulut, is set to leave at the end of the season. Belgian top flight clubs Cercle Brugge and Anderlecht, as well as FC Basel and FC Luzern, the club of fellow Australian Oliver Bozanic, have shown interest in the striker in his shot for a second stint in Europe.
A-League clubs Perth Glory and Central Coast Mariners are also sniffing around for the 23-year-old with expected Olyroo Jamie Mclaren expected leave at the end of the season and Central Coast looking for a replacement for Mitchell Duke, who joined Shimizu S-Pulse during the season. The 23-year-old joined the Wanderers in February and has since scored six goals in the league and Asian Champions League.
One of the players on Popovic’s shortlist is reported to be Italian striker Davide Succi. The 33-year-old plays for struggling and inevitably relegated side Cesena. Succi has spent all his career in Italy through the Serie B and briefly in the Serie A this season. on July 6, 2012 he moved to Cesena in the Serie B and a year later signed a three-year contract and won promotion for his side scoring five goals in 35 appearances. His contract expires at the end of next season and could be a useful marquee signing for the Wanderers.
Another signing the Wanderers have enquired for is Argentine Carlos Luna, who currently plays for Club Atletico Tigre in the Argentine Premier Division. The 33-year-old moved to the club on a free transfer in 2014 and signed a two-year contract. He has played 11 games out of 12 for the club scoring four goals, seven of those games coming off the bench.
Matthew Skellett
Guest
Is that like the supposed 'done deal' with Klose Josh ? ;-)
Josh
Guest
He posted '#WSW' on twitter then quickly deleted it. So basically a done deal.
Josh
Guest
I haven't said anything about those players on here but have elsewhere, Vukovic would be a great addition, Georgievski maybe. Anyone wearing sky blue is not welcome though, good riddance.
The artist formerly known as Punter
Guest
Thanks CM.
Wicked Ninja
Guest
Your stance on this matter would make more sense if WSW didn't keep signing players that aren't from Western Sydney. Perhaps they should fill their squad with Westies so CCM can't sign any of them. Or maybe you could accept that that clubs can sign players from outside their local area (like WSW have done with Tanaka, Takahagi, La Rocca, Poljak, Castelen, Spiranovic, Tyson, Ono, Hersi, Polenz, Kresinger, Saba, Adeleke, etc.) Also, I've never seen you complain about Danny Vukovic and Scott Jamieson (who both grew up in Western Sydney) playing for Perth Glory, or Daniel Georgievski and Lawrence Thomas (both Marconi juniors) playing for Melbourne Victory. And, of course, Sydney FC's captain is also from Western Sydney.
cm
Guest
He responded cryptically to a facebook post. All hell broke loose amongst the chileno community.
The artist formerly known as Punter
Guest
What do you know?
Assistant Orange Peeler
Guest
Valdivia? He would be an incredible signing.
Josh
Guest
Kerem will never play for another A League club (his words), Mariners can look in their own backyard for a change instead of constantly goldmining in Western Sydney.
AZ_RBB
Guest
I'll take him if he's better than Saba.
The artist formerly known as Punter
Guest
Bail??? They go on wickets in another game.
cm
Guest
I heard Bail is on the way.
SVB
Guest
LOL. How about Ronaldio?
AZ_RBB
Guest
Never heard of Messie. Any more info on him?
Midfielder
Guest
Messie ....