SEE FLORES FINEST A-LEAGUE MOMENTS

Former Red Flores was today revealed as Victory's biggest signing since new coach Ange Postecoglou took over at the Melbourne side.

And his move to Adelaide's arch rivals has infuriated the club's fans who are angry the club did not try harder to get him to return to United.

This evening though, the club hit back at critics and insisted they had offered Flores more than they had offered any other player or coach in the club's history - and had been turned down.

There was speculation that the Reds could possibly have sold high-earning players - Sergio van Dijk was linked with a move to Indonesia - to allow them to sign Flores.

But today the club said Victory - with a turnover twice the size of Adelaide's - had simply been able to offer him more than they could.

"It has happened to South Australia in other sporting codes and now it has happened here," said a club statement.

"Adelaide United FC acknowledges Marcos Flores’ right to sign with Melbourne Victory but refutes any assertion or allegation that the club did not act reasonably or commercially to secure his services within the extremely restricted time frame between the date of the termination of his Chinese contract and today.

"To the contrary for reasons set out below, Adelaide United FC could not have done any more than it did. Had Flores given the club more time to make space within the salary cap, a deal may have been possible. That however did not occur as Flores decided to join Melbourne Victory.

"The club’s negotiations and record of contact with Flores were as follows:

  • June 2011 A contract offer to Flores of $1million for 3 years was rejected. Flores demanded to be released to China citing Melbourne Victory was an option in the January transfer window if he was not released.
  • April 2012 Whilst still under contract in China, Flores’ agents put a proposal to Adelaide United for a $575k package per year to return to Adelaide. The club declined the deal.
  • May 2012 Adelaide United made its highest ever offer for a player or coach for Flores to return to Adelaide. This was rejected by Flores’ agents.
  • June 2012 Flores’ agents put another proposal to Adelaide which was beyond the club’s means.

"Adelaide United FC had 22 contracted players for 2012/13 during the period of negotiation with little room in the salary cap, making it virtually impossible to act in the recruiting port folio.

"At the same time Flores’ agents were negotiating with other Hyundai A-League clubs which was their right. Importantly Adelaide United FC is proud of the squad list in its achievements during the current successful AFC Champions League campaign.

"The two overriding factors in the Flores signing are a) Adelaide United could not afford his demands, and b) Melbourne Victory, a club with a turnover of $13million, has more resources than Adelaide United with a turnover of $6million and hence can outbid this club."

SEE FLORES FINEST A-LEAGUE MOMENTS