Former UEFA Best Player in Europe and Ballon d'Or third-placer, Ribery, is out of contract with the Bavarian giants at the end of the season and Babbel - who won three Bundesliga titles with the club - is trying to sway him to come Down Under.

"I said 'OK, if you want to earn a lot of money then you have to go to Qatar or somewhere. But if you want to be a rock star, then you have to come to Australia'," Babbel told the Herald.

"He hasn't decided at the moment but I can't believe that he will come here, because we're talking about a category that normally for the A-League is not realistic.

"We also have to go further, and find a team for next season – I can't wait the next 100 years. If there's a chance there, you have to try it. But the chance to get someone like that is maybe one per cent."

As usual, lifestyle factors are seen to be key in any potential decision, as will be Fox Sports' $3 million marquee fund.

But Babbel's leeway and extensive network of contacts throughout Germany could perhaps prove decisive, with Ribery - one of the world's finest players for nearly a decade - certainly not short of a few bucks. Not that this seems to convince many others.

It's possible the German's prestige in the football world, in addition to a late surge in form from the Wanderers, was part of the reason Western Sydney chose to be patient with the coach after a dismal beginning to the season.

The club are seeking to bring in a marquee that will draw the crowds back to the West after a tough run and inhospitable footballing conditions at Spotless Stadium saw their fans desert the club en masse.

The 35-year-old's contract runs up at the end of this season, as does fellow Bayern winger Arjen Robben's, with the duo's injury history the only downside to an otherwise mouth-watering potential transfer.