Perth Glory have stepped up moves to sign in-demand defender Chris Coyne and will offer the Australian international a three-year deal to lure him home.
Glory coach David Mitchell wants to make Colchester United's Coyne his third Socceroos signing as the club strives to reach the A-League finals this season, for the first time.
Coyne, who played a vital role in Australia's qualification for next year's World Cup, met Mitchell on Monday to discuss the prospect of returning to WA after a 13-year overseas career that has included spells at West Ham United, Luton and Scottish club Dundee.
The 30-year-old is keen to join his younger brother Jamie at Glory, although he has also attracted interest from rival A-League clubs, as well as sides in Asia. He has two years to run on his contract with the English thirdtier club — and might yet return to the UK — although he has been told by manager Paul Lambert he is free to explore other opportunities.
"I had a chat with Glory and I'm just waiting on things from Asia and the Middle East," Coyne said yesterday. "I'm still looking at every option and I'll make a decision when I've got all the facts in front of me."
Glory will offer a three-year deal this week in the hope that Coyne will join fellow Socceroos Mile Sterjovski and Jacob Burns for the new season, which kicks off for the WA side away to Adelaide United on August 7.
Signing Coyne would crown an impressive recruiting period for Glory, who have netted former English Premier League defender Andy Todd from Championship outfit Derby County and German Bundesliga striker Branko Jelic from Energie Cottbus, as well as Sterjovski (Derby) and Burns (Unirea Urziceni).
Glory have finished third-last in the eight-team competition for the past three seasons and owner Tony Sage has backed Mitchell's push for quality signings to turn around the club's fortunes in an expanded 10-team competition this season.
The club has also pulled off a coup by arranging pre-season matches at Members Equity Stadium against EPL sides Fulham (July 15) and Wolves (July 10).
North Queensland Fury, featuring former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler, will also feature on the July 15 card when they take on Wolves as part of a double header at Glory's ground.
Coyne, who has kept a close eye on Glory over the years, said he had been impressed with the direction the club was now taking.
"I can see the club is going places and they are sending out the right signals with the people they are bringing in and the formula they are looking to use to go forward," he said.
Mitchell said Coyne was a perfect fit for Glory.
"He's a player we like and want and it's about getting an arrangement where we can come together," he said.
Coyne is mindful of making his next move the right one to increase his chances of featuring in the Socceroos' World Cup squad next year.
If he signs for Glory, he would be allowed to bridge the gap between the end of the A-League in March and the start of the World Cup in June by making a loan move.
"It's going to be a huge 12 months for everyone involved in the national team," Coyne said. "I suppose there's 30 or 40 players who want to make that 23-man squad."
JONATHAN COOK
