This was published 8 years ago
Tim Cahill set to play in A-League for Melbourne City
By Dominic Bossi
Tim Cahill appears set to finally play in the A-League after reaching an agreement in principle to sign with Melbourne City for the upcoming season.
Fairfax Media understands City are on the cusp of signing Cahill as a guest player outside of the salary cap with sources suggesting a formal deal is close.
Football Federation Australia chief executive David Gallop confirmed a deal could be imminent after revealing lengthy meetings with Cahill and his representatives took place on Wednesday, with a view to sealing his move to Melbourne City.
"I met with his manager yesterday, I spoke to Tim last night. It's not appropriate to say more than positive talks are ongoing. I've said before, we'd love to have Tim playing in the A-League. We believe it's the right time in his career, he's got the opportunity to make a history-making appearance in a World Cup in Russia 2018," Gallop said.
Australia's all-time leading goal scorer is approaching the end of his contract with Chinese club Huangzhou Greentown, which expires this month. After years of talks, skirmishes and tension with Australian clubs, he looks to be on his way to play professionally in Australia for the first time in his career.
Cahill has reportedly turned down the option to remain in China having knocked-back a contract extension. He was previously chased by another club based in Shanghai.
Sources suggested Cahill's minimum asking price to move to the A-League was $3 million while it's been reported the proposed deal with City could be worth as much as $4 million per season.
Should he sign as a high-profile guest player with City, it would make him the first big name star to play in the A-League since David Villa and would be the first major coup for the FFA since the establishment of the marquee fund, which assists clubs in signing big name players.
The FFA has desperately been trying to attract star players to raise the profile of the competition this season, which will be played against the backdrop of negotiations for a new broadcast deal.