The Covert Agent: Adelaide United miss opportunity to be an A-League superpower

Goal's resident spy reveals the South Australian club gave up the chance to be one the richest clubs in the country

A Chinese ownership deal that would have seen Adelaide United become an A-League superpower fell through because of the sale price demanded by chairman and co-owner Greg Griffin.

The Covert Agent can reveal Chinese investors were interested in buying the Reds and plans were discussed for a new stadium to be built for the club.

An Adelaide United entourage travelled to the Far East to seal the deal but the Chinese investors walked away after Griffin put a price tag of $20 million on the club - despite market estimates of the value being around the $10 million mark.

The Covert Agent wants to stress that there is no doubting Griffin's passion for the Reds and he is the main reason for the club's success despite their limited budget.

But Griffin's decision has denied Adelaide an opportunity to become a big player in Australian football.

For the record, the same Chinese investors are now talking to potential A-League franchises Geelong and Southern Expansion.