Jamie Maclaren yet to commit to Melbourne City beyond this season

The A-League’s all-time leading goalscorer might be on the move at the end of the season.

Jamie Maclaren’s Melbourne City contract expires in June. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

Jamie Maclaren’s Melbourne City future remains clouded despite the A-League star rejecting claims he had knocked back a new contract with the club he captains.

Maclaren, who has won four A-League Golden Boot gongs in succession and five overall, is yet to decide where he will play next season.

Currently on a marquee deal understood to be worth more than $1 million per year, Maclaren’s contract expires in June.

The 30-year-old striker on Thursday again denied that he “turned down” a new deal from City.

“There are obviously negotiations between myself and the club, and other interested parties … (but) nothing’s agreed, nothing’s turned down, nothing’s accepted,” Maclaren said.

“I’m not the only player coming off contract. We’ve got a lot of boys on loan so there will be a lot of changes at Melbourne City next season whether I stay or go.”

Melbourne City captain Jamie Maclaren is weighing up his club future. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

Maclaren, who was left out of the Socceroos squad currently at the Asian Cup, admitted his priorities had changed since becoming a father last year.

“Before I’m a footballer, I’m a father and I’m a husband, so something like that makes you realise there are bigger things to look at, and I’m not a selfish person,” he said.

“I’d rather see it as a collective and make sure everybody is happy in my life and around me because they’ve supported me through the s*** and through the good.”

Maclaren will head into City’s clash with Adelaide United on Thursday night at AAMI Park without a goal in his past three games.

“I get painted with a different brush as opposed to every other player for some reason. Maybe that’s because I’ve got five Golden Boots at home, and everybody thinks at the start of the season I’m just going to click my fingers and at the end I’ll be at the top,” the A-League’s all-time leading goalscorer said.

“It’s doesn’t work like that. This is sport. This is professional sport. It doesn’t mean that it’s through a lack of trying or a lack of wanting to score.

“I don’t really believe in form, I believe in quality, and I think I’ve got the quality.”

In a blow to City’s title hopes, the club has parted ways with Moroccan midfielder Hamza Sakhi.

Having signed Sakhi to a permanent deal less than two weeks ago after he moved to the club last year on loan from French outfit Auxerre, City on Wednesday confirmed his release for family reasons.

Sakhi said leaving Melbourne was “best for me and my family at this time”.

“I am grateful for the friendships and memories made during my time in Melbourne and wish my teammates and fans all the best for the rest of the season,” he said.

Originally published as Jamie Maclaren yet to commit to Melbourne City beyond this season