The Wanderers declined to comment when contact by the Herald but it's understood coach Markus Babbel wants Juric at the club. Babbel and Juric spent two years working together at Luzern where the striker enjoyed arguably his best spell in Europe, playing regularly in the Swiss league where he made 57 league appearances and scored 15 goals between 2016 and 2018. During this period, he became the first-choice striker for the Australian national team. Babbel revealed he sought advice from Juric before accepting the job offer from the Wanderers and is now seeking a reunion with his former player.

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However, it is understood Juric is not the only transfer target of Babbel, who is also eyeing 33-year-old Turkish striker Akyuz, has been linked with a move to Western Sydney from Super Lig club Denizlispor. Reports in his homeland suggest Akyuz is close to leaving his club and is said to be negotiating a $1.6m contract with the Wanderers. The Denizlispor captain can play anywhere across the frontline and has been prolific in his advancing years, netting 27 times in 49 games over the past past two seasons in the Turkish top flight.

While Juric's asking price is understood to be high, it's likely it will not come close to the reported demands of Akyuz and has not put off other clubs interesting in signing the free agent. Sources suggest Juric still has options with clubs overseas interested in securing his services. It's understood he will not be reuniting with his former coach Tony Popovic at Perth Glory.

Juric made just eight appearances for Luzern last year in a season heavily disrupted by injury that saw him lose his place in the Socceroos with Jamie Maclaren, Andrew Nabbout and Apostolos Giannou in the 2019 Asian Cup. Australia coach Graham Arnold insisted Juric still had a future with the national team but made it no secret that Juric needed to regain match fitness and regular game time be considered for selection.