Adelaide United have denied they didn’t do enough to re-sign Marcos Flores, and suggested the midfielder joined rivals Melbourne Victory for more money.
Adelaide United have denied they didn’t do enough to re-sign Marcos Flores, and suggested the midfielder joined rivals Melbourne Victory for more money.
In a terse statement, which is set to ramp up the rivalry between the two clubs ahead of the new Hyundai A-league season, the Reds said they had no problem with Flores signing for Victory
“Adelaide United acknowledges Marcos Flores- right to sign with Melbourne Victory but refutes any assertion or allegation that the club did not act reasonably to secure his services.”
The club then pointed the finger at Flores, detailing contract negotiations with the Agrentinean, and saying the former fan favourite had threatened to move to Victory if he wasn’t released to take up a lucrative offer in China.
“The club-s negotiations and record of contact with Flores were as follows:
“June 2011 A contract offer to Flores of $1 million for 3 years was rejected. Flores demanded to be released to China citing Melbourne Victory was an option in the January transfer window if he was not released.
“April 2012 Whilst still under contract in China, Flores- agents put a proposal to Adelaide United for a $575k package per year to return to Adelaide. The club declined the deal.
“May 2012 Adelaide United made its highest ever offer for a player or coach for Flores to return to Adelaide. This was rejected by Flores- agents.
“June 2012 Flores- agents put another proposal to Adelaide which was beyond the club-s means.”
Adelaide also blamed Flores for not giving the club enough time to make room for the midfielder in their salary cap, and suggested Victory’s financial power was a key factor in the former Johnny Warren Medallist’s decision to move to Melbourne.
“The two overriding factors in the Flores signing are a) Adelaide United could not afford his demands, and b) Melbourne Victory, a club with a turnover of $13 million, has more resources than Adelaide United with a turnover of $6 million and hence can outbid this club.
“It has happened to South Australia in other sporting codes and now it has happened here.”
