Queensland Roar have begun contract negotiations with Socceroo John Aloisi to bring him to the club.
"We've opened talks with him and we will speak again in the very near future - hopefully to make further progress," Frank Farina revealed.
Farina is banking on the pair's former friendship in the national squad as being a key part of his bargaining with Aloisi to bring him back to Australia to play in the A-League.
His contract with Spanish second division club Alaves runs out at the end of the season and the 31-year-old was widely tipped to sign for Adelaide United to play alongside his brother Ross.
That family dream was wrecked though when Ross was sacked by United last month with a year left on his contract. Ross has now signed to Wellington Phoenix.
But as au.fourfourtwo.com exclusively revealed today, John Aloisi is still keen to come back to Australia ans has just been waiting for a club to approach him.
"I've spoken to John's people and we have a starting point for our discussions," Farina admitted.
"His contract at Alaves expires this season and naturally we are very interested in a player of his capabilities.
"We are very keen to pursue talks with John and there is no doubt that he would be a great acquisition for both the club and the A-League.
"He would be a good fit all round."
Farina added: "Everyone remembers John for scoring the penalty that sent us to the World Cup and if he does come back to Australia next season then he would do so as a national hero.
"That was a pivotal moment in the history of the game here in Australia.
"It was the launch pad for what we have today and John Aloisi was very much a big player in that."
Farina is banking on the pair's former friendship in the national squad as being a key part of his bargaining with Aloisi to bring him back to Australia to play in the A-League.
His contract with Spanish second division club Alaves runs out at the end of the season and the 31-year-old was widely tipped to sign for Adelaide United to play alongside his brother Ross.
That family dream was wrecked though when Ross was sacked by United last month with a year left on his contract. Ross has now signed to Wellington Phoenix.
But as au.fourfourtwo.com exclusively revealed today, John Aloisi is still keen to come back to Australia ans has just been waiting for a club to approach him.
"I've spoken to John's people and we have a starting point for our discussions," Farina admitted.
"His contract at Alaves expires this season and naturally we are very interested in a player of his capabilities.
"We are very keen to pursue talks with John and there is no doubt that he would be a great acquisition for both the club and the A-League.
"He would be a good fit all round."
Farina added: "Everyone remembers John for scoring the penalty that sent us to the World Cup and if he does come back to Australia next season then he would do so as a national hero.
"That was a pivotal moment in the history of the game here in Australia.
"It was the launch pad for what we have today and John Aloisi was very much a big player in that."
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