Central Coast mariners chief Richard Peil says they won't stand in Sammy Silvera's way if the player wants to leave, either for the UK or Asia.
As exclusively revealed by Record Sport, Hearts have had a bid for the 22-year-old wide man knocked back, while Middlesbrough and Plymouth Argyle from the English Championship are also chasing him. There's competition from Asian clubs who are prepared to offer big money in order to tempt one of Mariners' Grand Final goal scorers away from Oz.
Hearts insist they won't be held to ransom and will move on to other targets if they feel Mariners are looking for too much cash. The A-League outfit are understood to be holding out for around £520,000. Gornik Zabrze's Kanji Okunuki is a backup target and the Tynecastle club have reportedly been quoted £400,000 for the 23-year-old. They are also chasing compatriot Riku Handa from Gamba Osaka to strengthen in the right back area.
Peil doesn't want to deny Silvera a second crack and continuing his career outside of Australia. But insists he'll only leave for what they feel is a fair price. He told FTBL : “There has been a lot of interest in Sammy – and justifiably so – from multiple clubs in both the UK and Asia. There have been several concrete offers to go along with that but nothing has been decided yet.
“Personal success gets players noticed and Sammy deserves the attention, and as a club we’re not surprised either. His class was there for all to see at the back end of the season, and of course in the grand final, and it’s no shock that the phone has been ringing off the hook to ask about him.
“We are not in the business of standing in the way of players if they really want to go elsewhere to help their career. However, I genuinely feel Sammy would benefit greatly from another year in the A-League.
“There’s a fine line there sometimes. He’s been overseas before and returned home to kick start things again. He knows he’s going to play regularly here where he would benefit greatly from another year under the guidance of Monty (Nick Montgomery) and Serg (Sérgio Raimundo).”
Peil also reckons Silvera can force his way into Graham Arnold's Socceroos squad by staying put Down Under. He added: “He wants to be a part of the Socceroos and I’d imagine he’s pretty close to realising that dream.
“But to do that it’s crucial to be playing each week. The thing about going overseas is that there is always the risk of perhaps spending more time on the bench than in the starting line up - and that’s where timing and finding the right club becomes crucial. I personally feel Sammy will be better placed to get that national team breakthrough if he remains with us for another season.”
Steven Naismith is keen to recruit a winger after Josh Ginnelly's contract expired. A new centre back is also on the agenda ahead of the new Premiership campaign.
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