Sydney FC head coach Ufuk Talay says an Australian left-sided central defender is set to sign with the Isuzu UTE A-League club on Friday – but won’t be available for his side’s clash with Adelaide United on Saturday afternoon.
The Sky Blues are in the market for a new centre-back after the departure of Socceroo Hayden Matthews to English club Portsmouth in a multi-million dollar move that netted Sydney a club-record fee for an outbound transfer.
Sydney’s Matthews replacement must be Australian due to club’s five visa slots already being filled by Patryk Klimala, Anas Ouahim, Leo Sena, Douglas Costa and Joe Lolley.
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Speaking ahead of Saturday’s Round 17 clash with second-placed Adelaide, Talay confirmed a new signing was imminent and that a permanent move for central defender Alexandar Popovic is also near completion.
Popovic’s loan from Korean club Gwangju is set to expire at the end of January.
“Timing in football is never perfect,” Talay said.
“Football is a fast-moving beast, and the opportunity came for Hayden to go overseas. Obviously, it was a good opportunity for our club as well to make that sale and that transfer.
“Hopefully tomorrow we’ll have someone locked in. We’re very close, so hopefully tomorrow we’ll have someone locked in. Won’t be available for the game on Saturday, but hopefully available for the game next week.
Talay added: “Alex Popovic is very close at the moment. It’s just been going back and forth the last couple of days. We’re hoping it will get done today or tomorrow.”
Sydney take on Adelaide United at Allianz Stadium on Saturday afternoon, and could be bolstered by the return of Brazilian star Douglas Costa who has been sidelined since late December with a hamstring injury.
Costa starred against the Reds in Round 9, scoring two goals and assisting one more in a dramatic 3-3 draw at Coopers Stadium.
“Douglas is tracking well,” Talay said.
“He joined the team this week so he’s actually done some work with the team. He’s still not 100% but we’ll see whether we utilise him this weekend, put him on the bench and hopefully have him available for the Wanderers game.”
