Football Federation Australia CEO David Gallop says Hyundai A-League clubs are in the market for big-name marquee players and admitted a number have shown interest in signing Spanish star Andres Iniesta.
The Barcelona legend, who has been linked with a possible move to Australia, said “all possibilities are open” regarding his next club.
READ: Hyundai A-League boss comments on Iniesta links
Iniesta has also been linked with clubs in China and Japan after announcing he would quit the Catalan giants at the end of this season.
Gallop confirmed a host of Hyundai A-League clubs had shown intent to use the FFA’s $3million Marquee Fund to try and lure the likes of Iniesta Down Under.
“I won’t name who but I know A-League clubs have expressed interest,” Gallop said on Wednesday.
“The A-League offers a great competition to play but also a great lifestyle. As we saw with Del Piero, that was a big selling point.
“There might be better money on offer in other leagues but it does demonstrate that we’re back in the game and if we can pull off a player like [Iniesta] then fans across the league would be excited.
“The game has many mouths to feed and that would require a significant investment mainly from one of our clubs but there is funds available.”
There’s no doubt luring a world-class superstar like Iniesta – who has won a World Cup and two European Championships with Spain as well as countless titles with Barca – would be a massive coup for the competition.
But if it was unsuccessful, Gallop said the option of using the Marquee Fund to help many clubs secure world-class talent is also on the cards.
“Do we spend that [marquee fund] on one player? Do we spend is on multiple players?” said Gallop.
“There is value in having multiple stars if we can do it but we’ll just have to see how that plays out.”
