Complicating matters for Sydney is the situation of their star playmaker, Ninkovic. The Serbian international was a marquee player earning close to $1 million but sources suggest he accepted a deal to play for a quarter of his previous salary this season to help the club stay inside the cap.
Effing hell, Sydney gained about 600k cap space with the changes to the Loyalty Player allowances and Ninkovic still needed to leave $750k on the table!
A ball hasn't been kicked but the fuse has already been lit for the rivalry between Sydney FC and Macarthur with the Bulls making a bold move to sign the Sky Blues' star playmaker, Milos Ninkovic, for their A-League debut next season.
A ball hasn't been kicked but the fuse has already been lit for the rivalry between Sydney FC and Macarthur with the Bulls making a bold move to sign the Sky Blues' star playmaker, Milos Ninkovic, for their A-League debut next season.
It’s the war of words that threatens to sour relations between Sydney FC and their newest rival before a ball’s even been kicked.
Who can solve the curious case of Milos Ninkovic and the missing Macarthur offer?
Peculiar circumstances surround an alleged illegal approach by the A-League’s expansion franchise, who are due to enter the A-League next season and starting to put together a squad.
Whatever the outcome, the he said/she said behind this explosive tug of war for the Serbian Johnny Warren Medallist has added spice that would make a chilli’s knees weak.
Ninkovic was all set to re-sign with the Sky Blues on a one-year contract within the salary cap worth close to his current salary, believed to be around half a million per season.
This is where it gets mystifying.
Shortly before he was due to finalise his paperwork last month – nearly a fortnight before December 1, when rival clubs are allowed to start talks with off-contract targets – Ninkovic informed Sydney’s hierarchy he’d been informally approached by Macarthur.
The offer, this column hears, was for a two-year deal plus the option of a third, and on a salary in the vicinity of $750,000 per season – tempting for a player nearing 35 with a young family.
Ninkovic has always stated he wants to finish his career with Sydney but, with a dozen off-contract players and higher performances demanding higher wages, the reigning champions’ salary cap is unprecedentedly tight.
The Sky Blues immediately contacted Macarthur for a please explain and alerted Football Federation Australia to the assumed breach of ethical negotiation rules.
Macarthur responded categorically denying any such thing had occurred, and again rejected the claim as false when contacted by Confidential.
Then, on December 1, Sydney received notification that Ninkovic’s name is on Macarthur’s list of off-contract targets they’d like to speak to.
We can’t make rhyme nor reason of it.
Hearing Kwabena Appiah-Kubi has been approached and formally offered a deal by Macarthur FC. pic.twitter.com/X3gHatMS9l
— Jack Fitzgerald (@jackfitz41) December 5, 2019
Sydney FC have secured the futures of the next generation of Sky Blues, with strikers Trent Buhagiar and Luke Ivanovic, left back Joel King and goalkeeper Thomas Heward-Belle signing new deals today.
Hearing Kwabena Appiah-Kubi has been approached and formally offered a deal by Macarthur FC. pic.twitter.com/X3gHatMS9l
— Jack Fitzgerald (@jackfitz41) December 5, 2019
Expect McArthur to be approaching half of our squad sometime soon, too. Luckily they're not after our coach as they have one already.
Who knows, they might approach Durante?
Re-signed. #MadeOfNewcastle
? https://t.co/gNxI8TNnsr— NEWCASTLE JETS FC ✈️ (@NewcastleJetsFC) December 5, 2019
In a busy day of transfer news for the A-League expansion side, Macarthur Bulls are said to be targeting Melbourne Victory attacker Elvis Kamsoba.
— A-League Hub (@AleagueHub) December 5, 2019
[Telegraph]
Melbourne Victory captain Ola Toivonen has dropped a massive hint that this season will be his last in Australia: “I've seen a lot of the world and the kids are getting old. We feel that it is time to look closer to home and most likely is Sweden. I feel done abroad"
— A-League Hub (@AleagueHub) December 5, 2019
[Karlskoga]
Toivonen confirms Allsvenskan interest - but denies decision made https://t.co/iqG3ZOP2HS #football #FTBL #ALeague pic.twitter.com/tLmt1R3RKU
— FTBL (@FTBLcomau) December 6, 2019
Gianni Extendsness. ?
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) December 9, 2019
✌️ more years. #CCMFC
Details ?? https://t.co/JzJUDnMHPd pic.twitter.com/UHV0cTXKyj
That's a terrible capition. Good for the lad and NZF though
25-year-old Adelaide United centre-back Jordan Elsey has a buyout clause in his contract, that ends in 2021, with the Japanese league rumoured to be a target.
— A-League Hub (@AleagueHub) December 11, 2019
[Advertiser]
Off-contract Adelaide United defender Ryan Strain reportedly has interest from Newcastle Jets and Central Coast.
— A-League Hub (@AleagueHub) December 11, 2019
[Advertiser]
Adelaide United have been linked with Schalke 04 and Australian 190cm defender George Timotheou, 22, for a potential January move.
— A-League Hub (@AleagueHub) December 11, 2019
[Advertiser]
Milos Ninkovic will make a decision on his future next week, Adam Le Fondre is expected to extend his stay later this season, Townsend said "pretty much everyone" had shown interest in Luke Brattan and Michael Zullo, but English interest for Andrew Redmayne has cooled.
— A-League Hub (@AleagueHub) December 11, 2019
[FTBL]
Good luck, Carlo! We wish you all the best.https://t.co/qKU0cSB8bh
— Adelaide United (@AdelaideUnited) December 12, 2019
Adelaide release Carlo Armiento
Good luck, Carlo! We wish you all the best.https://t.co/qKU0cSB8bh
— Adelaide United (@AdelaideUnited) December 12, 2019
Adelaide release Carlo Armiento
Melbourne Victory boss Marco Kurz has finally snared Carlo Armiento from Adelaide United.
Armiento can officially play for Victory from January 3 when the A-League’s January FIFA transfer is open for business.
It’s understood eastern states clubs are also hovering to sign more youth team Reds players without A-League contracts in January.
Adelaide agreed to release the 20-year-old just months after the club closed the door on the winger’s move east and will join another promising South Australian youngster Luis Lawrie-Lattanzio at Victory.
Armiento was then frozen out of Reds 2019 pre-season training, forced to train with the club’s third team (reserves).
Professional Footballer’s Australia intervened and Armiento was reinstated in the first team’s training regime just five days before the Reds played its first match of the season under Verbeek where the Reds lost 3-2 to reigning champion Sydney FC Hindmarsh Stadium.
Macarthur FC have four more players on their wish list: Tommy Oar, 28, off-contract at Central Coast, Bernie Ibini, 27, off-contract after his Jeonbuk deal ended, but keen to stay overseas, Corey Brown, 25, and James Donachie, 26, who are off-contract at Melbourne Victory.
— A-League Hub (@AleagueHub) December 13, 2019
[SBS]
https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/macarthur-fc-ramp-up-recruitment-drive
The fullback market is rather grim if Corey Brown is sort after by Macarthur.
Macarthur FC have four more players on their wish list: Tommy Oar, 28, off-contract at Central Coast, Bernie Ibini, 27, off-contract after his Jeonbuk deal ended, but keen to stay overseas, Corey Brown, 25, and James Donachie, 26, who are off-contract at Melbourne Victory.
[SBS]— A-League Hub (@AleagueHub) December 13, 2019
https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/macarthur-fc-ramp-up-recruitment-drive
The fullback market is rather grim if Corey Brown is sort after by Macarthur.
Macarthur FC have four more players on their wish list: Tommy Oar, 28, off-contract at Central Coast, Bernie Ibini, 27, off-contract after his Jeonbuk deal ended, but keen to stay overseas, Corey Brown, 25, and James Donachie, 26, who are off-contract at Melbourne Victory.
[SBS]— A-League Hub (@AleagueHub) December 13, 2019
https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/macarthur-fc-ramp-up-recruitment-drive
The fullback market is rather grim if Corey Brown is sort after by Macarthur.
#NinkInked ?
— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) December 16, 2019
? - https://t.co/l5fx88b5yL#SydneyIsSkyBlue #WeAreChampions pic.twitter.com/yMFShMCOm0
#NinkInked ?
? - https://t.co/l5fx88b5yL#SydneyIsSkyBlue #WeAreChampions pic.twitter.com/yMFShMCOm0— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) December 16, 2019
I wonder which new dispensation the FFA have created to keep this agreement out of the salary cap?
#NinkInked ?
? - https://t.co/l5fx88b5yL#SydneyIsSkyBlue #WeAreChampions pic.twitter.com/yMFShMCOm0— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) December 16, 2019
I wonder which new dispensation the FFA have created to keep this agreement out of the salary cap?
.@MichaelZullo5 re-signs ✍
— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) December 17, 2019
The fullback has extended his time in Sky Blue for a further two seasons!
? - https://t.co/Pi9PrArb5h#SydneyIsSkyBlue #WeAreChampions pic.twitter.com/hxoFoNrgEW
Remaining off contract players: Luke Brattan, Adam Le Fondre [V], Andrew Redmayne, Paulo Retre, Ryan Teague, Marco Tilio, Harry Van Der Saag
ALF has a trigger in his contract based on his goals scored, so he should trigger that. So much for the evil empire falling apart cuz of the pressure of the salary cap, they might lose Brattan and that is about it.
Sydney don't have a salary cap, we all know that
FULL OFF-CONTRACT LIST
ADELAIDE UNITED
Carlo Armiento, George Blackwood , Mirko Boland [V], Yongbin Chen [V], Benjamin Halloran, Michael Jakobsen [V], Nathan Konstandopoulos, Vince Lia, Daniel Margush, Michael Marrone, Kristian Opseth [V], Ryan Strain
BRISBANE ROAR
Daniel Bowles, Jack Hingert, Jacob Pepper, Izaack Powell, Aaron Reardon, Kai Trewin, Jamie Young
CENTRAL COAST
Mark Birighitti, Jair [V], Milan Duric [V], Dylan Fox, Ziggy Gordon [V], Eun-sun Kim [V], Abraham Majok, Michael McGlinchey [V], Jacob Melling, Lewis Miller, Joshua Nisbet, Tommy Oar, John Roberts, Mario Shabow, Matthew Simon, Gianni Stensness
MELBOURNE CITY
Nathaniel Atkinson, Florin Berenguer [V], Dean Bouzanis, Stefan Colakovski, Harrison Delbridge, Joe Gauci, Denis Genreau, Rostyn Griffiths, Gianluca Iannucci, Lachlan Wales
MELBOURNE VICTORY
Matthew Acton, Kenny Athiu, Jay Barnett, Corey Brown, Benjamin Carrigan, Thomas Deng, Kristijan Dobras [V], James Donachie, Tim Hoogland [V], Joshua Hope, Elvis Kamsoba, Birkan Kirdar, Anthony Lesiotis, Andrew Nabbout, Jakob Poulsen [V], Storm Roux, Matthew Sutton, Lawrence Thomas, Ola Toivonen [V], Adama Traore
NEWCASTLE JETS
Nigel Boogaard, Jason Hoffman, Wesley Hoolahan [V], Lewis Italiano, Noah James, Ben Kantarovski, Patrick Langlois, Glen Moss, Kosta Petratos, Yerasimakis Petratos, Matthew Ridenton [V], Kaine Sheppard
PERTH GLORY
Joel Chianese, Dino Djulbic, Ivan Franjic, Alexander Grant, Chris Harold, Soobeom Kim [V], James Meredith, Tomislav Mrcela, Juande [V], Jacob Tratt, Tando Velaphi, Brandon Wilson, Gregory Wuthrich [V]
SYDNEY FC
Luke Brattan, Trent Buhagiar, Thomas Heward-Belle, Luke Ivanovic, Joel King, Adam Le Fondre [V], Milos Ninkovic [V], Andrew Redmayne, Paulo Retre, Ryan Teague, Marco Tilio, Harry Van Der Saag, Alexander Wilkinson, Michael Zullo
WELLINGTON PHOENIX
David Ball [V]*, Liberato Cacace*, Ulises Davila [V]*, Luke De Vere, Cameron Devlin, Callan Elliot, Louis Fenton*, Gary Hooper [V], Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi, Stefan Marinovic*, Callum McCowatt, Liam McGing, Timothy Payne, Reno Piscopo*, Alex Rufer, Oliver Sail*, Walter Scott, Jaushua Sotirio, Matti Steinmann [V], Steven Taylor [V], Benjamin Waine*
* Have contracts extensions that can be triggered
WESTERN SYDNEY
Mathieu Cordier, Mitchell Duke, Tarek Elrich, Matthew Jurman, Bruce Kamau, Daniel Lopar [V], Radoslaw Majewski [V], Alexander Meier [V], Tass Mourdoukoutas, Tate Russell, Pirmin Schwegler [V], Nicholas Sullivan, Nicholas Suman
WESTERN UNITED
Connor Chapman, Alessandro Diamanti [V], Andrew Durante, Luke Duzel, Ersan Gulum, Thiel Iradukunda, Dario Jertec [V], Filip Kurto [V], Scott McDonald, Jerry Skotadis, Valentino Yuel
[Updated: 26/12]
Western United will go to the January transfer market looking for a striker and a midfielder, as coach Mark Rudan confirmed Scott McDonald will make his return to the match-day squad for Saturday's game against Wellington Phoenix.
"Struggling @wswanderersfc face the prospect of losing midfield mainstay Keanu Baccus during the January transfer window, with Danish Superliga club @AGFFodbold ready to swoop." via @lewieatlarge. #SBSTheWorldGame https://t.co/KRoS9QfaZL
— SBS - The World Game (@TheWorldGame) December 27, 2019
Western United defender Connor Chapman is believed to have played his last game for the A-League expansion side, with a fee said to have been agreed with an unnamed South Korean side. The 25-year-old will depart imminently to begin pre-season training with his new side.
— A-League Hub (@AleagueHub) December 28, 2019
[SBS]
https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/chapman-eyes-korea-return-as-western-exits-looms
Contracted Adelaide United midfielder James Troisi has an affordable buyout clause which has made him a target for a number of Chinese sides. An A-League club is also keen to sign the 31-year-old in January, and has asked Reds officials permission to speak to Troisi
— A-League Hub (@AleagueHub) December 28, 2019
[Advertiser]
Western United Football Club today can announce two changes to the football department staff.
Assistant coach John Hutchinson and player Connor Chapman will depart the club this week.
Western United Football Club today can announce two changes to the football department staff.
Assistant coach John Hutchinson and player Connor Chapman will depart the club this week.
Hutch thanks Rudan for the opportunity. Lol. He signed on before Rudan was announced. Think he’s off back to Sounders as first team assistant.
Injury-hit @AdelaideUnited has all but ruled out recruits during the January transfer window. But Reds director of football Bruce Djite is confident of retaining the club’s top talents, as it braces itself for a tough start to the new year. #ALeague
— Rob Greenwood (@robgreenwood1) December 30, 2019
➡️https://t.co/nvWhIlT1j2 pic.twitter.com/U1q7X8c74W
So much for the Dario rumour
JIngham to leave the Roar for an Asian deal?
FULL OFF-CONTRACT LIST
ADELAIDE UNITED
Carlo Armiento, George Blackwood , Mirko Boland [V], Yongbin Chen [V], Benjamin Halloran, Michael Jakobsen [V], Nathan Konstandopoulos, Vince Lia, Daniel Margush, Michael Marrone, Kristian Opseth [V], Ryan Strain
BRISBANE ROAR
Daniel Bowles, Jack Hingert, Jacob Pepper, Izaack Powell, Aaron Reardon, Kai Trewin, Jamie Young
CENTRAL COAST
Mark Birighitti, Jair [V], Milan Duric [V], Dylan Fox, Ziggy Gordon [V], Eun-sun Kim [V], Abraham Majok, Michael McGlinchey [V], Jacob Melling, Lewis Miller, Joshua Nisbet, Tommy Oar, John Roberts, Mario Shabow, Matthew Simon, Gianni Stensness
MELBOURNE CITY
Nathaniel Atkinson, Florin Berenguer [V], Dean Bouzanis, Stefan Colakovski, Harrison Delbridge, Joe Gauci, Denis Genreau, Rostyn Griffiths, Gianluca Iannucci, Lachlan Wales
MELBOURNE VICTORY
Matthew Acton, Kenny Athiu, Jay Barnett, Corey Brown, Benjamin Carrigan, Thomas Deng, Kristijan Dobras [V], James Donachie, Tim Hoogland [V], Joshua Hope, Elvis Kamsoba, Birkan Kirdar, Anthony Lesiotis, Andrew Nabbout, Jakob Poulsen [V], Storm Roux, Matthew Sutton, Lawrence Thomas, Ola Toivonen [V], Adama Traore
NEWCASTLE JETS
Nigel Boogaard, Jason Hoffman, Wesley Hoolahan [V], Lewis Italiano, Noah James, Ben Kantarovski, Patrick Langlois, Glen Moss, Kosta Petratos, Yerasimakis Petratos, Matthew Ridenton [V], Kaine Sheppard
PERTH GLORY
Joel Chianese, Dino Djulbic, Ivan Franjic, Alexander Grant, Chris Harold, Soobeom Kim [V], James Meredith, Tomislav Mrcela, Juande [V], Jacob Tratt, Tando Velaphi, Gregory Wuthrich [V]
SYDNEY FC
Luke Brattan, Trent Buhagiar, Thomas Heward-Belle, Luke Ivanovic, Joel King, Adam Le Fondre [V], Milos Ninkovic [V], Andrew Redmayne, Paulo Retre, Ryan Teague, Marco Tilio, Harry Van Der Saag, Alexander Wilkinson, Michael Zullo
WELLINGTON PHOENIXDavid Ball [V]*, Liberato Cacace*, Ulises Davila [V]*, Luke De Vere, Cameron Devlin*, Callan Elliot, Louis Fenton*, Gary Hooper [V], Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi, Stefan Marinovic*, Callum McCowatt, Liam McGing, Timothy Payne*, Reno Piscopo*, Alex Rufer*, Oliver Sail*, Walter Scott, Jaushua Sotirio*, Matti Steinmann [V], Steven Taylor [V]*, Benjamin Waine*
* Have contracts extensions that can be triggered
WESTERN SYDNEY
Mathieu Cordier, Mitchell Duke, Tarek Elrich, Matthew Jurman, Bruce Kamau, Daniel Lopar [V], Radoslaw Majewski [V], Alexander Meier [V], Tass Mourdoukoutas, Tate Russell, Pirmin Schwegler [V], Nicholas Sullivan, Nicholas Suman
WESTERN UNITED
Alessandro Diamanti [V], Andrew Durante, Luke Duzel, Ersan Gulum, Thiel Iradukunda, Dario Jertec [V], Filip Kurto [V], Scott McDonald, Jerry Skotadis, Valentino Yuel
[Updated: 03/01]
Retre re-signs! ?
— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) January 1, 2020
The midfielder has penned a new two-year deal with the Sky Blues - https://t.co/uECGbmy9H7#SydneyIsSkyBlue #WeAreChampions pic.twitter.com/YjAuL0qvvY
New year, more Jamie Young ?
— Brisbane Roar (@brisbaneroar) January 1, 2020
➡️ https://t.co/qhEDcXb2G5#RoarAsOne pic.twitter.com/eDbspS0IE6
Squad Latest...
— Perth Glory FC (@PerthGloryFC) January 2, 2020
It's farewell to @brandon_wlson1 - https://t.co/md3J9t8FEF@ALeague #OneGlory pic.twitter.com/LoDPSXe81W
Western United have announced the signing of 20-year-old central defender Oskar Dillon from Gold Coast Knights until the end of the season. The tall defender, who can also play as a deep-lying midfielder, won Football Queensland's Young Player of the Year in 2019
— A-League Hub (@AleagueHub) January 2, 2020
[@wufcofficial]
https://www.wufc.com.au/news/signing-news-western-united-adds-young-aussie-defender-roster
Scott McDonald has agreed terms on an 18-month deal with Brisbane Roar, after PFA intervened to help end a short and unhappy spell at Western United. Brisbane hope to have paperwork finalised this weekend, with the 36-year-old a chance to debut for the Roar next weekend.
— A-League Hub (@AleagueHub) January 3, 2020
[SBS]
https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/mcdonald-to-join-roar-after-pfa-resolves-western-united-dispute
Playing devil's advocate here...notwithstanding the fact that we all know Rudes is a couple of sandwiches short of a pic nic, how could the PFA intervene and allow a player to leave for free simply because his relationship with the coach has 'soured'?
Didn't WU ask for a transfer fee?
Don't get me wrong, Rudan is a tosser but this worries me a bit
Playing devil's advocate here...notwithstanding the fact that we all know Rudes is a couple of sandwiches short of a pic nic, how could the PFA intervene and allow a player to leave for free simply because his relationship with the coach has 'soured'?
Didn't WU ask for a transfer fee?
Don't get me wrong, Rudan is a tosser but this worries me a bit
No transfer fees in the A-League. The rumor of McDonald leaving a few weeks ago also said there was unpaid wages, we now know it was at least half right with McDonald confirmed to be gone.
