Looks like we have a fight on our hands to keep him:
THE Mariners' hopes of keeping star striker John Aloisi will depend on talks likely to start within hours, as other clubs circle a striker with four goals in seven games.
Aloisi's representatives hope to meet with club officials by the end of this week to discuss next season, as the club prepare for Saturday's home clash with Sydney that could put them even closer to the minor premiership.
Aloisi is currently an injury replacement for Matthew Osman but is being courted by other clubs for next season, his agent Paddy Dominguez said.
"It's always been our intention to speak to the Mariners first in good faith, out of simple courtesy, and we'll certainly do that to hear what they have to say," he said.
"We'd like to leave the door open to give them first opportunity but obviously that can't happen in January sometime (the transfer window for Europe opens on January 1).
"There is interest from other clubs and we'll have to see how firm that is. His family's here now so from a lifestyle point of view he's settled.
"There are other clubs in the A-League that could come to the party but we'll speak to the Mariners first and foremost."
Dominguez added that the prospect of playing in Asia should the Mariners win the minor premiership - or the grand final - would be a temptation for Aloisi.
"The Asian Champions League would be a huge attraction - he doesn't just want to win the A-League but also the ACL," he said.
"John feels Australian clubs should easily have enough talent to win it."
Meanwhile, Mariners assistant coach Ian Ferguson has not yet been approached by Scottish side Dumfermline despite having been strongly linked with their vacant manager's position in recent days.
Ferguson was on the short list a year ago when Dunfermline opted to appoint Stephen Kenny, himself fired a few days ago.
But Lawrie McKinna's No. 2, while open about his long-term ambitions to be a head coach, said no one from Dunfermline had this time been in touch.
"There are certain jobs I would go back for to Scotland and Dunfermline is definitely one of them," he said.
"I thought I was close to getting it last time but they went another way and that's part and parcel.
"I don't want to be a No. 2 all my days but I'm still learning my trade under Lawrie and I'm enjoying it. At that time Dunfermline approached me and I was keen to do it but it never happened. I've not heard anything since.
"I'm ambitious and I think Lawrie would appreciate that. I've been grateful for the opportunity and I've worked under a lot of good managers in my time and taken a few things on board.
"One day, if a team did approach, then I'd have to consider it. But no one (from Dunfermline) has been in touch so it's all hypothetical, we're just starting rumours."
