FFA CEO David Gallop says negotiations to bring superstar Tim Cahill to the Hyundai A-League have been“positive”, adding he spoke with the Caltex Socceroo hero last night.
“All I can say at the moment is we’re having positive talks, on going with Tim," Gallop said on Thursday.
“I met with his manager yesterday and spoke to Tim last night. It’s not appropriate to say more than there are positive talks ongoing.
FFA appoints Greg O’Rourke as new Head of Hyundai A-League
“And I’ve said before, we’d love to have Tim playing in the A-League. I believe it’s the right time in his career.
“He’s got the opportunity to make a history making appearance at the World Cup in Russia 2018.
“So at the moment it’s positive, with a bit of ‘watch this space’.”
Reports surfaced overnight that Cahill had rejected a contract extension with his Chinese Super League club Hangzhou Greentown.
It led to fevered speculation overnight that Cahill was set to sign with Melbourne City as a guest player outside of the salary cap.
“Obviously that’s a step,” Gallop said of the latest Cahill contract development, “with a few more steps to go.”
New head of the Hyundai A-League Greg O’Rourke stressed that returning Socceroos to the league need to be ones who can make a difference.
And he hoped his tenure - which begins in a month - will be one that has Cahill as an A-League player.
“If you’re bringing back the Tim Cahills of the world, they can really make a difference in the marketing of this league.
“Absolutely you’d do anything in your power to do that and I’m sure that’s what currently we’re trying to do," he said.