Reports suggest Mariners defender Trent Sainsbury could be on the move in the transfer window after he was the subject of an offer from Dutch club PEC Zwolle.
Reports suggest Central Coast Mariners central defender Trent Sainsbury could be on the move in the January transfer window after he was the subject of an offer from Dutch club PEC Zwolle.
It-s believed the 22-year-old has agreed to terms with the Eredivisie club, who currently sit ninth in the league, with a potential move to the Netherlands dependant on the negotiation of a transfer fee.
Sainsbury had only recently signed a two-year contract extension with the Champions in November last year, tying him to the club until the end of the 2015/16 Hyundai A-League campaign.
His previous deal had been due to expire at the end of this season and it-s being reported that a point of contention in the negotiations is whether the buy-out clause in Sainsbury-s contract equates to the amount in his previous deal or new terms.
The Mariners 2012/13 player of the season is yet to sign with the Dutch club but the two parties are currently holding talks in an attempt to resolve the matter before the European winter transfer window closes on February 1.
Sainsbury made his senior debut for Central Coast back in November 2010 against F3 derby rivals Newcastle Jets. He has gone on to make 60 appearances for the club, netting one goal.
The former AIS product has represented Australia at U-17 and U-20 level and has previously expressed his desire to play in Europe.
“I have a burning desire to go overseas,” Sainsbury said at the time of re-signing with the Mariners. “But I don’t want to go over there with nothing behind me – I want to arrive at a club and be very well respected for what I have achieved in Australia.”
Sainsbury was nominated for the NAB Young Footballer of the Year award last season and is currently the leading defender in the points race for the Johnny Warren Medal for the league-s best player.
