Sydney FC midfielder Brandon O’Neill to be watched by high-profile UK scout Frank McParland

He has been an integral member of Sydney FC’s trophy-winning success but off-contract midfielder Brandon O’Neill is on the radar of an unnamed English Championship club.

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SYDNEY FC could have a fight on their hands to keep Brandon O’Neill next season, with revelations a high-profile scout is set to observe the A-League title-winning midfielder.

Frank McParland, the former Liverpool chief scout and academy director instrumental in bringing Raheem Sterling to Anfield, has made inquiries about O’Neill.

It’s understood he plans to visit Australia in the coming weeks to watch him first hand on behalf of an unnamed English Championship club.

O'Neill is a vital part of the Sky Blues’ midfield. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)

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O’Neill has been an integral member of Sydney FC’s trophy-winning success over the past two seasons in partnership with Josh Brillante.

But the Perth-born 24-year-old is off contract at the end of this campaign, making any future European offer a potentially enticing prospect.

McParland was chief scout at Liverpool between 2003 and 2007 and academy manager from 2009 to 2013, when he was credited with negotiating the contracts of now Manchester City forward Sterling, Jordon Ibe and Sheyi Ojo.

O'Neill and Brilliante formed an impressive partnership. (Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

Since then he’s been sporting director at Brentford and Burnley and head of recruitment at Rangers.

Most recently he was director of football at Nottingham Forest, until the end of last year when he left in tandem with manager Mark Warburton’s sacking.

O’Neill was in the sights of Championship clubs earlier this year and has also been on the radar of Ireland, for whom he holds a passport through his parents.

Having already represented the Olyroos, he’s shown enough consistency to be talked about in context of the Socceroos, with Australia’s depth in that area a key barrier to a call-up.

Sydney have several other players coming off contract including Brillante, recent Socceroos train-on right-back Rhyan Grant and Paulo Retre.

It comes as coach Steve Corica continues to consider his transfer options, with one free visa spot available and room in the salary cap ahead of a looming Asian Champions League campaign.

The loss of Trent Buhagiar has hit the front third hard and marquee Siem de Jong’s hamstring injury has been especially untimely.

But the club has pushed through the pain to remain undefeated and second only two Perth Glory after four rounds, with a spicy Big Blue against Melbourne Victory fixed for Sunday week after the international break.

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Originally published as Sydney FC midfielder Brandon O’Neill to be watched by high-profile UK scout Frank McParland