A-League clubs in hunt for star imports like Arjen Robben

A-League clubs are chasing a stellar list of European stars as marquee players next season.

Dutch midfielder Arjen Robben is being chased by Sydney FC. Picture: AFP

There may be light at the end of the tunnel.

As the A-League reaches its penultimate weekend, after another season of struggle, serious moves are afoot to bring genuine star names here next season, ­including Arjen Robben, Santi Cazorla and Franck Ribery.

With clubs claiming they want to invest some $120 million over the next four years once an independent A-League is established — in theory in time for next season — these are some of the names under discussion to sprinkle the competition in glittery star power.

The list of off-contract stars who would fill stadiums here is heavyweight, even if some are a lot more likely than others to be realistic propositions.

But at least five clubs are believed to be testing the water for a marquee. Planning for next year is well under way even as the season reaches its climax, and Football Federation Australia is sitting on a marquee fund of more than $3.5m.

Some names emerge as the result of agents with a mandate effectively shopping players around. Others have been the subject of discreet back-channel approaches. At least one World Cup winner who ordinarily might be regarded as a certainty to stay in Europe has engaged with an approach from an A-League club.

In recent years, the emergence of China and Japan as lucrative alternatives to Australia has hit hard efforts to bring marquees here. But in several cases, the figurative stars could align to help A-League clubs turn pipedreams into poster boys for next year.

Arguably the most alluring name is Robben, the Dutch winger who is about to complete a hugely successful decade at Bayern ­Munich.

The Weekend Australian understands that Sydney FC held talks with Robben several months ago, but were told his most likely course was retirement. However, communication between the parties is ongoing, and with Robben fit again and playing, another season is a strong possibility.

The 35-year-old has been linked with a switch to Ajax, Benfica and the US’s MLS but Australia remains an option.

Likewise for Ribery, also leaving Bayern at the close of this campaign. Markus Babbel has already signalled trying to use their acquaintance to bring him to Western Sydney, and Ribery himself this week said he would be happy to consider such a move.

Among others who clubs have been told are available are 33-year-old Pole Lukas Podolski and Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge, 29. Podolski has been at Japanese club Vissel Kobe since March last year but had the captaincy removed a fortnight ago. Having invested heavily in him, Andres Iniesta and David Villa, Kobe are believed to be looking to cut costs after a slow start to the season.

Sturridge will leave Liverpool at the end of the season after an injury-marred six years at Anfield, and is said to be considering all options. Robbie Fowler’s arrival at Brisbane clearly gives the Roar the edge in that instance.

For purists, the prospect of Cazorla switching here is alluring, after a magnificent season in Villareal’s colours in Spain’s La Liga. After nearly losing his foot to an infected achilles, the fact he has played again is remarkable enough, but his vision and passing are as good as ever.

Villareal sit three points above relegation with two games to play, and his future might be determined by whether they stay up. But at least one A-League club has been told he could be available next season.

Likewise Fulham’s Ryan Babel, though that ship might have sailed since Galatasaray were impressed enough by his Premier League form to offer the former Liverpool winger a contract in Turkey.

Age and self-esteem are likely to be significant obstacles in the path of luring other off-contract stars here including Arsenal forward Danny Welbeck, Chelsea forward Olivier Giroud, Genoa forward Goran Pandev and West Ham midfielder Samir Nasri.

Welbeck is still only 28 as he leaves Arsenal, while Giroud’s sense of self-worth is bordering on stratospheric. If as expected he leaves Chelsea, it will almost certainly be to stay in Europe.

Pandev would offer A-League clubs a reliable source of goals but at 35 he is in the twilight of his career. Nasri is still in talks with West Ham about a new deal but is said to want £50,000 ($93,000) a week. With the reputation he has for self-indulgence, that figure is ambitious in the extreme.

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH