EXCLUSIVE: Newcastle Jets have issued a pre-emptive warning to Gold Coast United about key asset Joel Griffiths, saying they want to tie their star striker to a long-term deal at EA stadium.
"Expansion in the A-League is welcome," Jets CEO John Tsatsimas told au.fourfourtwo.com today.
"However with a club like Gold Coast, we'd be absolutely naïve to think they wouldn't try to tempt some of our players.
"It makes it difficult for many clubs."
While limited by the A-League's salary cap, Gold Coast United's billionaire owner Clive Palmer is ready to throw resources at the club to make it, in his words, "an A-League winner in its first season".
This includes money for marquee players, first class travel and accommodation.
It's known that Griffiths, the Jets' Socceroo striker and top scorer, has family on the Gold Coast and would be a highly prized target for not only the Gold Coast but for any club.
With one year left on his contract, the Jets are keen to tie Griffiths down to a longer term deal.
"It's been difficult with Joel being away with the Socceroos then being on holiday," Tsatsimas said.
"We've had limited discussions with Joel's reps and yes it's possible he could be a marquee player for us."
However, the Jets will make an announcement later this week regarding new players at the club.
It's believed Gary Van Egmond has targeted four players who will arrive in the coming weeks at the club for trials.
The club says it's learnt from last season's disastrous recruitment policy (Mario Jardel, Jorge Drovandi and to a lesser extent Denni) and will have a good look at these players first.
These players are from African (one), Italy (two) and another from an unspecified part of the world. New signing Kaz Patafta arrives this weekend to commence his stint with the A-League champions.
The Jets, like the Mariners, are also likely to start the season with 22 players in their squad, allowing them the flexibility to sign a player later if need be.
"However with a club like Gold Coast, we'd be absolutely naïve to think they wouldn't try to tempt some of our players.
"It makes it difficult for many clubs."
While limited by the A-League's salary cap, Gold Coast United's billionaire owner Clive Palmer is ready to throw resources at the club to make it, in his words, "an A-League winner in its first season".
This includes money for marquee players, first class travel and accommodation.
It's known that Griffiths, the Jets' Socceroo striker and top scorer, has family on the Gold Coast and would be a highly prized target for not only the Gold Coast but for any club.
With one year left on his contract, the Jets are keen to tie Griffiths down to a longer term deal.
"It's been difficult with Joel being away with the Socceroos then being on holiday," Tsatsimas said.
"We've had limited discussions with Joel's reps and yes it's possible he could be a marquee player for us."
However, the Jets will make an announcement later this week regarding new players at the club.
It's believed Gary Van Egmond has targeted four players who will arrive in the coming weeks at the club for trials.
The club says it's learnt from last season's disastrous recruitment policy (Mario Jardel, Jorge Drovandi and to a lesser extent Denni) and will have a good look at these players first.
These players are from African (one), Italy (two) and another from an unspecified part of the world. New signing Kaz Patafta arrives this weekend to commence his stint with the A-League champions.
The Jets, like the Mariners, are also likely to start the season with 22 players in their squad, allowing them the flexibility to sign a player later if need be.
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