The A-League "is preparing an audacious raid on Hollywood" after targeting former Major League Soccer side L.A. Galaxy players Steven Gerrard and Robbie Keane as "potential guest-player signings during the upcoming January transfer window," according to Dominic Bossi of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD.
A number of A-League clubs "have been in contact with Football Federation Australia regarding the possibility of making an ambitious move to bring Gerrard to Australia." While still in an early stage, "preliminary discussions have taken place over what would be required to pull off one of the biggest coups in Australian football history" in convincing him of playing in the A-League. Melbourne Victory is understood to be "still interested in signing a high-profile guest player in the upcoming transfer window." Sources close to FFA suggested the three-time champions "flagged their interest with the governing body to submit an offer to Gerrard but would require a joint bid including funding from the centralised A-League marquee player fund."
While personal demands have not been put forward from Gerrard's management, any bid to lure him to Melbourne "would almost certainly require an unheralded investment from Victory as well as a significant financial contribution from the FFA." Keane "is another target to become a summer guest player signing, with Brisbane Roar set to enter the race for the Irish striker." Like Gerrard, Keane "became a free agent after parting ways with the MLS club last week and is also yet to decide on his future, with a number of clubs already having signalled their interest, including his home-town team, Shamrock Rovers of Dublin" (SMH, 11/22).
