MELBOURNE City’s swap deal with Adelaide United that would have secured defender Osama Malik is off, with David Williams pulling the pin on the deal.
Williams rejected an 18-month deal from United and now looks set to join struggling Newcastle Jets, who are desperate for attacking reinforcements.
City could make the first signing of the A-League January transfer window, which opens on Tuesday, with keeper Dean Bouzanis set to be unveiled.
Bouzanis is expected to sit on the bench against former club Western Sydney on Saturday at AAMI Park, with Tando Velaphi set to join a Japanese J-League club.
While City is keen to offload Williams and free up salary cap space, Adelaide was only prepared to release Malik if they secured a player in return.
Malik, who has been on the Socceroos radar, remains part of coach Guillermo Amor’s plans as United aim to qualify for the 2016 Asian Champions League.
Former Tottenham and Croatia attacker Niko Kranjcar, 31, is one of many overseas stars available to A-League clubs.
Kranjcar is on the outer at Ukrainian giants Dynamo Kiev after playing 22 games and scoring twice on loan to QPR in the Premier league last season.
Hamburg striker Ivica Olic, who’s scored 20 goals in 104 games for Croatia, is available.
Ronaldinho’s name has been floated to A-League clubs but there appears to be conjecture about his availability and his huge wage demands.
Greek international Giorgios Samaras is available and holds an Australian passport.
Irish striker Andy Keogh, whose contract was central to last season’s salary cap scandal, could make his Perth Glory return in Saturday’s clash with Adelaide United.
Glory officials will hold talks with one of their current visa players, believed to be Dutchman Guyon Fernandez, about paying out his contract to free up a spot.
Despite struggling both Central Coast and Newcastle could be losing key players, with gun attacker Anthony Caceres subject to offers from overseas and rival A-League clubs, while David Carney is on the verge of receiving an offer from the Middle East.
The availability of Socceroo James Troisi is subject to him being released by his Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad, while Fulham is seeking compensation for Olyroos striker Adam Taggart.
Sydney FC and Glory are among the few clubs with salary cap space and room to sign players, but loan, guest stint and injury-replacement signing options are still available to clubs.