Welcome to Rumour Mill: A look at all the transfer gossip relating to past and present A-Leagues players doing the rounds in the media.
Segecic chased by two Championship clubs as Austrian move falls through
After a stellar individual Isuzu UTE A-League 2024-25 season, there’s seemingly no shortage of interest in Sydney FC attacker Adrian Segecic, who’s current contract comes to an end on June 30.
Finishing the season as joint-winner of the Golden Boot with 13 goals alongside Adelaide United’s Archie Goodwin, Segecic shone in the second-half of the season as he scored goals aplenty in both the Isuzu UTE A-League and AFC Champions League Two competitions.
Now with less than two weeks to run on his current contract with the Sky Blues, Segecic’s name is being linked with a move to the English Championship and a club where several other Australians are currently plying their trade.
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According to local media outlet Portsmouth News, the club has now turned their attention to the 21-year-old attacker after a potential move to Austrian side Rapid Vienna fell through due to the possibility of playing in the UK.
Also linked with a move to fellow Championship side Queens Park Rangers, Segecic now seemingly has a decision to make as to where his future lies, but the possibility of moving to Pompey is likely to appeal, especially given the number of Australians currently on their books.
With former Sydney FC teammate Hayden Matthews proving to be a revelation since joining Portsmouth in January in a deal worth more than AUD $2m, Segecic would also be joining former Brisbane Roar striker Thomas Waddingham and ex-Central Coast Mariners defender Jacob Farrell at Fratton Park should he opt to move there.
Brisbane Roar eye move for A-Leagues Champion
No stranger to the Isuzu UTE A-League, former Wellington Phoenix, Newcastle Jets and Central Coast Mariners defender James McGarry could be set for a return Down Under during the off-season.
Having clinched the Isuzu UTE A-League 2022-23 Championship with the Mariners McGarry then sealed a move to Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen, signing a three-year deal at Pittodrie.
However according to Scottish media outlet The Daily Record, McGarry is now set to cut short his time in Scotland in order to head back to Australia and gain first-team football.
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Brisbane Roar are reportedly on the look out for a new left-back after defender Corey Brown was among six players released by new head coach Michael Valkanis.
Now 27, McGarry spent the second-half of last season on loan at Greek Super League side Athens Kallithea and missed out on winning the Scottish Cup with the Dons as they defeated Celtic 4-3 on penalties.
Aberdeen are no stranger when it comes to signing players with A-Leagues experience with the Dons having most recently agreed a deal to sign 2025 Johnny Warren Medallist Nicolas Milanovic from Western Sydney Wanderers.
Milanovic will be joined by former Wanderers and Adelaide United striker Kusini Yengi at Pittodrie with the Socceroos forward having recently put pen-to-paper on a three-year deal after leaving Portsmouth while the club has also signed former Macarthur Bulls goalkeeper Nick Suman.
Botic to choose between SIXTEEN offers
One of the standout players from the Isuzu UTE A-League 2024-25 season, Western United sharpshooter Noah Botic is another player who is reportedly likely to be headed overseas this off-season.
With his contract expiring at the end of June and his mind seemingly made up to move to Europe, Botic will have no shortage of offers on the table and that’s seemingly the case according to reports online.
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Initially linked with a move to Bundesliga side FC St Pauli, German news website shz.de now reports that while Botic was initially on the club’s radar the 23-year-old isn’t a transfer target for the current window.
While a move for Botic to St Pauli now seems off the table, aleagues.com.au understands the 16-goal striker has interest from both the Bundesliga and Bundesliga.2, English Championship, Belgium, Austria, Holland, Croatia and Scotland with 16 offers put forward for the player!
Bayern’s plan for Irankunda
Former Adelaide United star Nestory Irankunda moved to Bayern Munich at the end of the Isuzu UTE A-League 2023-24 campaign and, after impressing for the German giants’ second team, was subsequently loaned out to Swiss side Grasshopper Club Zurich.
After bagging a goal and two assists whilst on loan at the Swiss club, Bayern are now planning the Aussie’s next loan spell according to Sky Germany with a return to Grasshoppers being mentioned as well as possible loan to Austrian club Rapid Vienna.
Triantis in demand after brilliant season in Scotland
Former Central Coast Mariners star Nectar Triantis is a player in demand after an impressive season on loan at Scottish side Hibernian and is now being courted by a host of clubs across Europe.
Contracted to newly promoted Premier League side Sunderland, Triantis is still expected to leave the club this off-season despite being named Hibs’ Young Player of the Year as well as being shortlisted for the Scottish Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year.
The Edinburgh News reports the 22-year-old remain Hibs’ top target this off-season either as a loan or permanent transfer, while aleagues.com.au understands the player has interest from other clubs in Scotland as well as the Eredivisie and Bundesliga.
