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.
Ex-Adelaide United star Irankunda set for permanent UK move
He only joined German giants Bayern Munich in 2024 but Adelaide United gun Nestory Irankunda is reportedly on the move again.
After bursting onto the scene in the Isuzu UTE A-League, the 19-year-old caught the eye of the Bundesliga powerhouse who shelled out a six-figure fee to secure his services before loaning him out to Swiss side Grasshoppers for the 2024-25 season.
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According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Irankunda is now set to join EFL Championship side Watford on a permanent transfer with a fee in the region of €4m (A$7m) being touted.
However, while the Socceroos winger looks set to depart the club on a permanent basis, Bayern are also reportedly including various clauses and sell-on fees as part of the deal which would potentially see a buy-back clause included in case the 19-year-old shines in England.
Should the transfer take place, it would be beneficial for the Reds who look set to profit due to the terms of the deal which saw Irankunda move to Germany in 2024.
Furthermore, should Irankunda end up at Vicarage Road, he could be set to face off against old Isuzu UTE A-League adversary Jacob Farrell, now on the books of Portsmouth.
The duo enjoyed several intense battles during their times with Central Coast Mariners and Adelaide United respectively.
Socceroos winger linked with Isuzu UTE A-League return
Fresh off winning the Isuzu UTE A-League Championship with Melbourne City, Socceroos winger Marco Tilio could be on his way back to Australia.
Initially sold to Scottish giants Celtic in 2023 for a record outbound Australian transfer fee, Tilio struggled for form and fitness after arriving at Parkhead and was subsequently loaned back to City for the second-half of the Isuzu UTE A-League 2023-24 season.
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Tilio was then loaned back to City for the entire 2024-25 season and had a profound impact on Aurelio Vidmar’s side, scoring five goals and registering five assists in 19 games as they went on to win the Isuzu UTE A-League 2024-25 Grand Final.
However, upon returning to Celtic at the end of City’s Championship winning campaign, it’s now been reported that the Aussie winger’s future is likely to lie away from the Scottish club.
According to Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph, Melbourne City are exploring the possibility of re-signing Tilio on either another loan deal or a permanent move.
The 23-year-old started and got an assist in Celtic’s 3-2 pre-season defeat to Portuguese side Estrela da Amadora over the weekend but is reportedly not in the plans of Celtic boss Brendan Rogers.
Returning Wanderer courted by Danish giants after successful loan spell in Netherlands
He may only have just returned to Australia, but reports online suggest Western Sydney Wanderers’ young talent Marcus Younis could soon be on the move again.
The 20-year-old spent the Isuzu UTE A-League 2024-25 campaign on loan in the Netherlands playing for PSV Eindhoven’s U21 side ,where he caught the eye.
Making 26 appearances for Jong PSV in the Eerste Divisie, Younis scored five goals and registered one assist in his debut campaign in Europe.
Returning to Australia as part of his loan agreement, it now seems as though the young talent could be whisked away to Europe once again, with Danish media outlet Tipsbladet reporting Brondby IF are keeping close tabs on the player.
Contracted until 2027, Younis looks set to be a key figure for the Wanderers under Alen Stajcic this season following the departures of Nicolas Milanovic (Aberdeen) and Zac Sapsford (Dundee United).
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Former Mariners star linked with Premier League exit
According to reports coming out of the England, ex-Central Coast Mariners prodigy Garang Kuol could soon be on the move.
After enjoying a stellar breakout season for the Mariners, which also saw him selected by the Socceroos for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Kuol was subsequently snapped up by Premier League side Newcastle United for six-figure fee.
Having signed a four-year deal, Kuol was then loaned out to Scottish Premiership side Hearts before then going on to join Eredivisie side FC Volendam on a season-long loan in 2023-24.
Despite playing considerable minutes in the Netherlands Kuol then returned to Newcastle United last season and played with the club’s U21 side but is now looking likely to be leaving the Magpies during the current transfer window.
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Having previously been a reported target for Isuzu UTE A-League side Macarthur Bulls during the recent January transfer window, a few other Australian sides could now be eyeing up a move for the 20-year-old.
According to local media outlet Newcastle World, the Premier League club are reportedly open to receiving offers for the Australian international meaning Kuol’s time on Tyneside could come to an end without him playing a senior match for the club.
