Asian Cup 2015: Soccceroo Massimo Luongo among Australians in transfer shop window

MASSIMO Luongo’s English club is faced with an agonising call on whether to cash in on their talented young star or hang on in search of promotion.

Massimo Luongo of Australia (L) fights for the ball with Sultan Alenezi of Kuwait during the first round Asian Cup football match between Australia and Kuwait in Melbourne on January 9, 2015. AFP PHOTO / MAL FAIRCLOUGH IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE

MASSIMO Luongo’s third-tier English club are faced with an agonising call on whether to cash in on their talented young star or hang on in search of promotion.

Top of League One midway through the season, Swindon Town have already fielded at least four serious inquiries for Luongo since the transfer window opened on January 1.

Swindon rejected a $1.1m offer from Championship side Rotherham last July, but interest levels will heighten after his man-of-the-match Asian Cup performance, that included a goal and assist.

Traditionally a selling club, Swindon’s resolve could be tested with offers in excess of $1.85m set to be tabled for Luongo.

LUONGO CREDITS ANGE CALL FOR CALMING NERVES

KRUSE EARNS SPECIAL PRAISE FROM FITNESS GURU

VIDEO: THE KEY MOMENTS IN ROOS WIN

VICTORY HAS POSTECOGLOU CAUTIOUSLY POSITIVE

Massimo Luongo’s Socceroos performances could lead to a January transfer.

Tim Cahill is among a host of other Socceroos who could be on the move in the next month, while FC Utrecht is considering selling midfielder Tommy Oar in January, Dutch giants Ajax headlining the chasing pack.

Swindon paid $740,000 for Luongo, signing him on a four-year deal from Tottenham in 2013 and won’t consider selling their star player unless they turn a tidy profit.

Championship trio Middlesbrough, Wolves and Brentford have watched Luongo, while last season Brighton, Reading and Sheffield Wednesday inquired.

Speaking before Friday’s game, Luongo was confident of progressing his club career.

“I feel my game’s definitely developed to that stage where I can effect a game no matter what level, against whoever,’’ Luongo told the Sunday Herald Sun.

“It does play with my mind a little bit because teams have to come in and pay quite a bit for me, that’s probably the only thing stopping them but I’ve felt I’ve had a really positive season.

“There was (interest) in November and December. I never read too much into it until something pops up in January. There’s always something lingering in January.

“I think my next step would be the Championship, whether it be with Swindon or wait until the end of the season and if something happens it does.

“The goal at the moment is to get there with Swindon.’’

Luongo has been tipped as a Premier League player in waiting.

TRANSFER-ROOS

On the move? Socceroos attracting interest

Player — Current club — Possible destination

Tommy Oar — FC Utrecht — Ajax

Massimo Luongo — Swindon Town — Middlesbrough/Wolves

Tim Cahill — New York Red Bulls — MLS/Europe

Ivan Franjic — Torpedo Moscow — Brisbane Roar/Sydney FC

Tomi Juric — Western Sydney — Shanghai Shenhua/China

Mat Ryan — Club Brugge — PSV Eindhoven

Chris Herd — Aston Villa — Bolton

Matthew Spiranovic — Western Sydney — Liverpool/Europe

Jason Davidson — West Brom — Unknown

Terry Antonis — Sydney FC — Serie A, Italy

Swindon Town chairman Lee Power said his team was the most scouted League One club, and last month hinted that Luongo had a big future.

“Mass is a Premier League player waiting to happen,’’ he said.

On Rotherham’s $1.1m offer last July, manager Mark Cooper said: “With all due respect to Rotherham, it was a fantastic offer but I think Mass is worth more than that.’’

Cahill, 35, has a year to run on his New York Red Bulls contract, but he would consider a move if he was offered a longer term deal.

“If I get an extra year it will be amazing, if not sometimes you look elsewhere,’’ Cahill said.

“If it happens it does, if not it doesn’t. Like always, if it does happen it will be for a very good reason.

“It’s always with a vision. I’ve been at New York Red Bulls over two years and it’s been amazing.’’

Matthew Spiranovic is rumoured to be on Liverpool’s radar.

Western Sydney’s Matthew Spiranovic is aiming to relaunch his European career and Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has kept tabs on him, while a good tournament will shine a brighter spotlight on Belgian-based keeper Mat Ryan.

Right-back Ivan Franjic’s solid performance should see more local clubs come forward after he said he wanted to return to the A-League, while striker Tomi Juric is subject to intense interest from China.

Coach Ange Postecoglou said the Asian Cup was a chance for players to make a name for themselves.

“Every tournament changes careers, changes lives,’’ he said.

“You saw what happened at the World Cup, and you can see it here, it’s up to them.’’

Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: Soccceroo Massimo Luongo among Australians in transfer shop window