Melbourne City has made the most obvious statement of their intent to win this season’s title by sacrificing talented Stefan Mauk to secure experienced Adelaide United defender Osama Malik.

The shock swap will be completed within 48 hours, with Malik travelling with Adelaide to Brisbane for tonight’s A-League clash before relocating to Melbourne.

Midfielder Mauk is due to return to Melbourne having been in Qatar for the Olyroos’ failed Rio 2016 qualifiers, but will move to Adelaide next week.

Malik, 25, was due to join City in a swap for David Williams before the attacker rejected Adelaide’s deal to pursue a contract in Hungary.

But Malik requested a transfer and while Melbourne Victory were interested, City was able to satisfy Adelaide by offering SA product Mauk, 20, as makeweight.

Mauk and Malik have are both understood to have agreed deals with their new clubs until 2018 _ Mauk’s City contract expired this season while Malik had another season to run on his.

City coach John van’t Schip’s decision to release Mauk for Malik underlines his defensive concerns and perhaps his desperation to win the A-League title this season.

Mauk, who signed for City in 2012, has had a breakthrough campaign, scoring four goals in 12 games after starting just three games and never playing 90 minutes prior to this season.

Mauk has attracted interest from Belgium, Holland and Germany and it’s believed a clause has been inserted, paving the way for him to move to Europe if a club can trigger the minimum release fee.

media_camera City have given up one of their most talented youngsters in Stefan Mauk.

Speaking after scoring in the December Melbourne derby win, Mauk expressed his delight at finally winning a regular spot at City.

“It’s always disappointing being a young player, sometimes it’s hard to get minutes, we’ve always had good players in my position so it’s just about taking that chance,’’ Mauk said.

“Maybe this year I’ve taken it more than I have previously and maybe it’s a bit of maturity, knowing that maybe I’ll only get one chance and that was the first derby of the season.”

While City’s midfield is cluttered with the arrival of Anthony Caceres, Mauk will compete for a midfield spot with former Melbourne Victory player Jimmy Jeggo.

Meanwhile Adelaide United’s hopes of signing Socceroo James Troisi appear slim, with the attacker set to sign with a Chinese Super League club.

media_camera Osama Malik will strengthen City’s defensive options.

Troisi, who broke his contract with Saudi Arabians Al-Ittihad after they failed to pay his wages, has received a lucrative offer from Wellington Phoenix and a lesser, albeit marquee offer to join hometown team Adelaide.

Malik, who’s played 118 A-League games, is likely to fill a defensive role but he can also play midfield.

Malik could sign as an injury replacement for Connor Chapman (knee), giving City room to make further signings.

Malik has been plagued by soft-tissue injuries in recent seasons and though his form has been down this season, he’s been viewed as a key player for United.

Malik was invited to the Socceroos’ pre 2014 World Cup camp by coach Ange Postecoglou and has remained on the national team radar since.