Speaking after last night's 2-0 World Cup win over Uzbekistan in Sydney, the 24-year-old said he felt it was time to move on for both he and his Serie B club.

"Grosetto was meant to be a stepping stone, but I've been there four years now. There's a lot of talk of interest, but talk only gets you so far."

Valeri, 24, has one more year on his contract after this season at which time he could leave the club for free.

He's hoping this fact nudges the Grosetto boardroom into selling him onto a bigger club.

"I'm pretty sure it's in their best interests to sell me. But then again, we have to wait and see.

"But it would be ideal for Grosetto - hint-hint - to sell me in June, July or August," he said with a smile.

"Next year's a very important year. I'm pretty sure it's a matter of when we qualify so wherever I'll be I'd like to be playing."

Valeri is not closing off any options right now with the thought of following in the footsteps of his hero Vinnie Grella to the EPL is also on the radar. But after six years, Valeri says he's found home in Italy and the hope is a Serie A club comes in with the right offer.

"I love the lifestyle, I love everything about it. And I've got a girlfriend now. The women are a small part of it. I've been there seven years now so it's starting to feel very home-like."

Valeri went into last night's game under an injury cloud after he rolled his ankle a week ago. He reinjured it again last night but paid tribute to the medical staff at the FFA for getting him "100%" for last night's game. "The medical staff... I got treatment like you wouldn't believe."

And the Socceroos' opponent deserves respect too.  "We thought they may just kick the ball long but they actually played football. But our plan was to wear them down and in the end that's what happened."

Looking beyond this World Cup cycle and some have suggested the level-headed Valeri - a former captain of the Joeys - could take on the skipper's armband post-World Cup 2010.

Valeri says that has always been his dream but added: "I can't get too ambitious. I'll settle for just playing for Australia."