Perth Glory will step up the chase to retain striker Daniel McBreen, despite the Qantas Socceroo hopeful having already signed with Central Coast for next season.
Although he struggled to exert his influence during Perth’s heartbreaking semi-final loss to Wellington via Sunday’s penalty shootout, McBreen has been in exceptional touch for the Glory, scoring five goals since crossing from North Queensland on January 15.
Prior to that McBreen had been sidelined somewhat by Fury coach Ian Ferguson after he signed a contract to play with Central Coast next season.
Despite incoming Mariners’ coach Graham Arnold already saying McBreen is a required player at Gosford next year, Glory owner Tony Sage still holds out hope the 32-year-old will continue representing Perth.
“It’s all up to a conversation he’s going to have with Graham Arnold,” said Sage on Monday, saying McBreen would talk with Australian assistant coach Arnold, while preparing for Australia’s big Asian Cup clash with Indonesia next week.
“Although he’s signed a contract (McBreen) is very keen on staying in Perth,” Sage added.
“He’s never been up for Australian selection before and what got him there was the team mates that he’s got and them feeding him the ball.”
“So he wants to stay, but that’s up to now the Central Coast to see if they really want him.”
Sage said the fact McBreen was signed by previous Mariners’ coach Lawrie McKinna could prove a positive for the Glory.
“Graham-s come in, he (McBreen) didn’t know about that, so he wants to see where he fits in that process now,” Sage said.
“So if he’s not going to be the No.1 striker, if Graham’s going to bring someone else in, he wants to know now and if he’s not going to be the No.1 striker, he’ll want to break his contract.”
With Branko Jelic struggling with injury throughout much of the season’s second half, the Glory appeared light on for forwards at times before McBreen’s recruitment coincided with the club winning four of its last five games ahead of making the Hyundai A-League finals for the first time.
But if McBreen remain unavailable, Sage said the Glory would seriously pursue Brisbane striker Sergio van Dijk.
“Van Dijk from Queensland’s looking for a club,” Sage said. “He hasn’t signed yet.”
“Brisbane can’t afford him, they tell me, so he’s looking for another club in Australia, he wants to stay here so he’s obviously a target if Danny doesn’t come to the party.”
