Melbourne City set to part ways with gun midfielder Anthony Caceres

MIDFIELDER Anthony Caceres looks set to join Bruno Fornaroli on their way out of Melbourne City during the January transfer window as the club hunts for a replacement striker as part of a mini mid-season overhaul.

Anthony Caceres could be on the way out the door at Melbourne City. Picture: George Salpigtidis

MIDFIELDER Anthony Caceres looks set to join Bruno Fornaroli out the exit door in January, with Melbourne City set for a mini mid-season overhaul as they search for a replacement striker.

A visa replacement signing hinges on Fornaroli departing in January, unless they sign a guest player.

City are bereft of quality Australian striking options, although it’s believed the club has inquired about the availability of Jamie Maclaren. However, Scottish club Hibernian are unlikely to release him from a season-long loan from Germans Darmstadt.

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Anthony Caceres could be on the way out the door at Melbourne City. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Unless Warren Joyce offers Fornaroli a surprise lifeline, the standoff between star player and coach appears irreparable.

Joyce feels disappointed with Fornaroli’s application, believing his skinfold levels were excessive, while City officials are privately of the belief that he had discussions with another A-League club.

Last season Joyce banished Bruce Kamau when he discovered the winger had agreed terms with Western Sydney for the following season, although intriguingly he did bring him back into the squad later in the season.

January will be make or break for Fornaroli’s future, with City telling their marquee player that he will not be allowed to join another A-League club.

That leaves an overseas move as the only option, and it’s unclear whether City will command a transfer fee for the 31-year-old.

Joyce is desperate to bring in a striker, and in a salary cap environment it will be difficult bringing in a high quality replacement unless they release Fornaroli, who would be free to join another A-League club next season as he’s out of contract in May.

Will Bruno Fornaroli be in Melbourne City colours after January? Picture: Getty Images

Caceres’ release would free up some funds, while the Herald Sun understands several young players could also be headed out of City, attracting interest from rival clubs with the new under-23 loan rule in operation.

Dylan Pierias and Connor Metcalfe are among those who have attracted interest from rival clubs.

First XI regular Kearyn Baccus looks set to stay on for another month at least, having been signed on as an injury replacement for French attacker Florin Berenguer, having initially replaced Scotsman Michael O’Halloran.

“You’ve got your fingers crossed every time someone’s got a muscle injury — you’re hoping they recover quick, but you don’t know what setbacks you get along the way,’’ Joyce said.

“It’s more important that he (Berenguer) gets right and he’s back helping us out fully fit.

“You don’t know (how long he’ll be out for), we can’t say on that one. We thought Malik was going to be out for a few weeks at the start of the season, it ends up being a really long term one.”