South Melbourne has denied it put a $4 million offer to Central Coast Mariners but has revealed it has been in talks with a few A-League clubs.
Club Director, Tom Kalas revealed to Neos Kosmos that no money has been put on the table to secure anything yet.
“What we’ve only done is we’ve had discussions with various A-League clubs and with the FFA and that’s all that’s been – discussions,” he says.
“No money has been put on the table, no offers have been made because we have to go obviously to our members first to get all these things approved.”
Reports last week had alleged South Melbourne had offered cash strapped Central Coast to play four home games in Melbourne, but both the team and Central Coast have denied these claims.
This week, the Mariners finalised a deal with English businessman Mike Charlesworth, a director of the club. He is now the majority owner and has settled the payment dispute with the players as his first call of duty.
For South Melbourne, discussions with the clubs and the FFA were aimed at increasing their standing, and hopefully open more doors for friendlies.
“We’re interested in playing at the top level as a club, whether they give another licence to Melbourne, whether they want us to help and support a struggling club we don’t know,” Mr Kalas says.
“We are trying to structure some friendly games obviously with some of the youth teams in the A-League”.
South Melbourne is gearing up for the start of the Premier League this week, and will play Green Gully FC in round 1.
