UPDATE: MELBOURNE Victory’s attempts to sign former Italy international Alessandro Diamanti under the new ‘guest ruling’ have been rejected by Football Federation Australia.

Victory has sensationally entered the market for a star signing in the wake of Tim Cahill’s high-profile arrival at Melbourne City.

Neither FFA or Victory were available for comment on Friday night, but it’s understood the governing body officially rejected Victory’s request.

Diamanti’s ‘guest’ rejection will raise eyebrows considering FFA had been negotiating with former Barcelona and Brazil star Ronaldinho, 36, and former Atletico Madrid and Uruguay star Diego Forlan, 37.

Ronaldinho’s last competitive game was almost a year ago, while Forlan has since signed for Indian Super League club Mumbai FC.

media_camera Melbourne Victory’s hopes of signing Italian star Alessandro Diamanti have been dashed by FFA.

While Diamanti is lower profile and never played for such big clubs, the former West Ham, Bologna and Fiorentina star remains at or close to his prime.

Diamanti, 33, is a dynamic left-footed attacker who’s been capped 17 times for Italy, including Euro 2012 and the 2013 Confederations Cup.

He currently plays for Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande, having made his debut against Victory in the 2014 Asian Champions League after his $10.3m transfer from Serie A side Bologna.

It’s understood that Evergrande, who loaned him out to Atalanta earlier this year, are prepared to release the star.

FFA created the ‘guest rule’ to enable City to sign Cahill and fellow clubs, hamstrung by the possibility of signing two players (marquees) outside the salary cap, to lure big names.

Victory has failed to net a ‘superstar’ since signing Harry Kewell in 2011-12.

They came close to signing former Greece captain Giorgios Karagounis and Italy firebrand Fabrizio Miccoli under then coach Ange Postecoglou.

FFA has allocated $1m to distribute to A-League clubs for ‘guest’ players, which includes a marketing component.

Clubs can sign guest players for up to a year, but Cahill is the only player to have signed under the new ruling.