Melbourne City coach John van ‘t Schip has confirmed that the club is in discussions with marquee Robi Koren and striker David Williams about potential departures in the January transfer window.
Koren is injured again – a knock on the back of his thigh, according to Van ‘t Schip – with the 35-year-old having only played 26 of 43 matches since moving to City before last season.
Asked about the potential of ending Koren’s contract early, Van ‘t Schip said: “There are talks, as we have already [read] in the paper, so I’m not going to hide that.”
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Regarding Williams, who was linked with Adelaide United but is now apparently keen on a move to Europe, Van ‘t Schip added:
“David has expressed that he wants to leave and we also have said that we’re open for that but again we’re also having David in [the squad] because he’s a contracted player.”
With Corey Gameiro and Connor Chapman out with longer-term knee injuries, Van ‘t Schip could potentially add four more players in January – injury-replacement players to cover Gameiro and Chapman, plus replacements for Koren and Williams if they leave.
“We will try to bring players in that we think can immediately add value,” Van ‘t Schip said.
City have already signed goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis in the current transfer window after letting Tando Velaphi leave.
And Fox Sports has today reported that City are looking at acquiring released Mariners midfielder Nick Fitzgerald.
