A-LEAGUE clubs need to be hard nosed when it comes to dealing with international transfers. The club’s interests are broader than those of the player alone.

Mike Cockerill reported in the SMH last week that “Turkish club Genclerbirligi - who already have two Socceroos, James Troisi and Bruce Djite, on their books - are hoping to make it three by recruiting Jedinak in the January transfer window, and it's believed the player is desperate to accept the offer.”

As anyone to have read my previous blogs would know, I’m a huge fan of Mile Jedinak. I think he has been a rock in the midfield for the Mariners both this season and last. He is integral to our chances this season and in Asia, and I can fully understand why the club will be trying to ensure he stays until the Mariners complete both competitions.

Jedinak’s success over the last couple of seasons is testimony to not only his own talent and determination, but also the faith shown in him by the club and its coaching staff. He has the potential to be a real A-league success story, in terms of converting a rapid rise to prominence in the local league into a major European contract and ongoing success. Why wouldn’t he be tempted?

However, other A-league ‘graduates’ over recent seasons have not necessarily translated the potential into a sustained success. Or perhaps it would be fairer to suggest the track record to date has been mixed.

Let me throw a few names out there that really re-enforce this challenge, and remember that Mile has actually been there and done this before (albeit at a smaller European club); Heffernan, Thompson, Carney, Ward, Leijer, Zadkovich and to a lesser extent Beauchamp. All of these players found it a challenge to make an impact at their new clubs, and some notable ones have since returned.

There are few true successes I can identify. Djite would be one, and possibly Carle, although its early days for both.

There is no question that our most promising A-league players will be tempted by the lure of Europe, and to a lesser extent Asia. Fans need to be able to deal with the financial reality of football being a business, and that therefore in the medium term this is inevitable.

The key thing for our league, and our clubs, is that when these transfers occur, adequate financial compensation is part of the transaction. Although it may be disappointing to see a player developed and then sold, it is a consequence of the current maturity of our league versus the competition. Clubs should adopt the same practices as feeder clubs in Europe do and ensure they negotiate appropriate sell-on clauses as part of these deals.

Through the cash injections generated by player sales, and sound long term strategy and management, our clubs will grow, and thus so will the league. The ability to retain talent for longer will eventually improve, as will the likelihood of earlier returns for high profile Socceroos.

Whilst I don’t begrudge players like Jedinak a successful career in Europe, the club is entitled to act in a way that is not only based on the economic reality of his current contract, but also their forthcoming Asian Champions League commitment. Players, like any contracted employee, need to recognise the value of a contract to both parties, and that ultimately everyone benefits by the certainty this brings.

The ongoing Ronaldo saga for Man Utd is an interesting case in point. Sir Alex appears to be managing this firmly, and despite noises from Ronaldo and other clubs, he continues to play and play well for Man Utd.

A-League clubs need to be just as shrewd in ensuring both they, and the league are not abused by ruthless competitor clubs, and manipulative player agents. Playing this game (i.e. the international transfer market) naively, is in not in Australian football’s long term interests.

The writer will, over the next 48 hours, unavoidably consume at least his own body weight in every conceivable kind of roasted and or BBQ’d meat, and variety of fruit puddings, topped with alcohol laced custard. Merry Christmas to all