Of course, Australia’s qualification for Russia is far from guaranteed at this stage, but free agents will know their best chance of being there should we qualify, is by securing their club future and playing regularly at a high level.

Mathew Leckie, Dylan McGowan and Jamie Maclaren have all already sealed moves but who else needs to get busy in the transfer market.

Most have delayed those talks until after Socceroos duty, but FourFourTwo takes a look at five Australians on the look-out for new clubs this off-season.

Mark Milligan

The Socceroos mainstay is out of contract with relegated UAE club Bani Yas and his agent told FourFourTwo he’s looking to move, with regular game-time ahead of the 2018 World Cup a key factor. Milligan’s family is settled in the region and may prefer to remain in UAE. Milligan has never played in Europe and may be drawn to try his luck but given he’s due to turn 32 in August, he may not have that option. Former club Melbourne Victory will be keen on him.

James Troisi

Troisi is out of contract after one season back with Melbourne Victory. There’s been rumours linking the winger with newly promoted Premier League pair Newcastle and Brighton which would be a huge opportunity for the 28-year-old ex-Juventus man who has never quite made it in Europe despite good spells in Belgium and Turkey. Troisi recently spoke about his need for regular game-time and playing in the Premier League may be a risk from that perspective, with the 2018 World Cup looming.

Kerem Bulut

The tattooed striker was released by German third tier club Wehen Wiesbaden in April and has been on the lookout for a new home ever since. Bulut has had his off-field issues but he is only 25-years-young and is an unfulfilled talent with plenty to offer. The striker’s last spell with Western Sydney Wanderers didn’t work out which may work against his hopes of an A-League return. Bulut has had spells in Czech Republic, Turkey, Greece and Germany, so who knows where he’ll end up.

Robbie Kruse

The past 12 months have been a nightmare for the talented Kruse, who has played more times internationally than at club level during that period. Kruse left Bayer Leverkusen for Chinese outfit Liaoning Whowin in January where he was used sparingly and the club failed to honour his contract, leading to his premature exit. Kruse’s agent John Grimaud has recently secured a big move for Mathew Leckie in Germany and he may use his connections to get the 28-year-old back there. There will be no shortage of A-League suitors for the ex-Roar and Victory man either.

Scott McDonald

The 33-year-old striker recently told FourFourTwo that the A-League is a hugely attractive option for him after exiting Scottish club Motherwell despite the option of an extension. McDonald may still explore opportunities in the United Kingdom or possibly Asia, but it appears a return to Australia might make the most sense for the Melbourne-born forward who has a young family. Western Sydney Wanderers and Newcastle Jets have previously been interested in him.