January marquee transfer swoop for Central Coast Mariners?

Could the Mariners bring in a marquee during the January transfer window?

Monday, 20 June 2016 –

Josh Bennett @JoshBennett50

Central Coast Mariners boss Tony Walmsley said the club would dip further into the transfer market but revealed any potential marquee would likely be signed in the January 2017 transfer window.

“We’re being very careful about how to balance the squad now with who we bring in,” he told reporters on Monday as the club resumed pre-season training on the Coast.

“In terms of a marquee, I think we’ll be looking at the January time as we did this year to see how the club’s positioned and to see who in the marquee ranks is available and affordable for the Mariners.”

 

Last January, the club made a big splash bringing in former Liverpool and Spanish great Luis Garcia after he starred in a Liverpool Legends game in Sydney.

It gave the club a huge boost on and off the pitch. And the Spaniard was deemed a success despite not having done pre-season with the club.

His influence on younger players too will be felt in years to come while his presence gave the club a huge lift on and off the park.

The club now hopes they’ll be able to unearth another big name mid-season.

“I know Mike Charlesworth [Mariners owner] is certainly open to the prospect of bringing in another marquee for the back-end of the season,” said Walmsley.

 

Football Federation Australia