Melbourne Victory's search for a marquee player could end with Chilean international defender Pablo Contreras. It is understood the club is negotiating a deal with the South American.

The vastly experienced centre back has operated at the highest level in South America, Europe and internationally.

At 35 he is in the veteran class, most recently playing with Greek giant Olympiakos and PAOK Salonika. Before that he spent time in La Liga with Celta Vigo and Osasuna, and in France with Monaco, having begun with Chilean giant Colo-Colo.

Contreras can play at the heart of the defence, or operate as a right back. He was long a fixture in a very useful Chilean team that managed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup and also played for the national team at the Sydney 2000 Olympics when Chile took the bronze medal after losing to gold medallists Cameroon in the semi final.