WANDERERS striker Tomi Juric has missed out on a contract worth more than $10m to play in China after the Shanghai Shenhua club withdrew its offer in frustration at “silly negotiating games”.
The extraordinary deal, which the club claimed could have ultimately been worth almost $18m including bonuses and benefits, would have seen Juric transferred by Western Sydney in the January transfer window.
It’s believed an acceptable transfer fee had also been tabled, but the contract offer was abruptly cancelled late last week after it became apparent that the striker preferred a move back to Europe.
Tomi Juric has missed on a Chinese deal worth
Tomi Juric has missed on a Chinese deal worth Source: News Corp Australia
The Chinese deal, worth a minimum of $3m net per season, was negotiated by Juric’s agent Bernie Mandic, former manager of Harry Kewell, but it’s believed other agents claimed to have negotiating rights on behalf of Juric, currently in camp with the Socceroos preparing for the Asian Cup.
Juric’s father also acts as an adviser to his son, but a senior official at Shanghai Shenhua told The Daily Telegraph that the club had turned its attention elsewhere.
“Mandic negotiated a contract for his client Juric worth equal to AUD$18 million for three years to play for Shanghai Shenhua,” he said. “Unfortunately many other agents get involved in the contract [with a result of] confusion, problems and silly negotiating games.
“So we withdraw the offer on last Friday. We now negotiating with other players. No more Juric.”
Tomi Juric is in Socceroos camp ahead of the Asian Cup.
Tomi Juric is in Socceroos camp ahead of the Asian Cup. Source: News Corp Australia
Juric himself had told reporters this week that he wanted to try again in Europe, after a previous unsuccessful stint in Croatia before returning to the A-League.
But while the striker seems set to stay with Western Sydney until the end of the season, when he is out of contract, several departures from the club now appear certain once the transfer window opens on Tuesday.
Though coach Tony Popovic stonewalled questions about the futures of attacking midfielder Vitor Saba and leftback Seyi Adeleke, neither was included in the 0-0 draw with Central Coast on Thursday night and both will leave if they can find overseas clubs to go to. Saba is believed likely to return to Italy, where he played before joining Western Sydney last year, having publicly aired his frustration at a bit part role this season.
Shanghai Shenhua is the old club of former EPL stars Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka.
Shanghai Shenhua is the old club of former EPL stars Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka. Source: Getty Images
Asked after the New Year’s Day game if Saba and Adeleke had been told to find other clubs, Popovic would only say that all his players were contracted and that he was “open to all possibilities” in the transfer window.
Defender Daniel Mullen is expected to join Newcastle, in a swap deal with Sam Gallagher, winger Kwabena Appiah has been told he is not wanted at the club, while the future of defensive midfielder Iacopo La Rocca is also in doubt after a dispute with Popovic at the Club World Cup in Morocco.
Meanwhile, it’s understood the flare-up between defender Shannon Cole and a supporter at the end of the draw with the Mariners came after reference was made to Cole giving away the penalty that cost Western Sydney the chance to play Real Madrid at the Club World Cup.
Security guards had to intervene to separate the pair, in a sign of the fractious air at the club.