ADELAIDE United could be forced into the foreign player market to attract a stopper for next season if defender Osama Malik goes to a Belgian club.

Reds chief executive Michael Petrillo said the injured Malik was a 50/50 chance of re-signing.

“We have made an offer to Osama and he’s considering it and we have to have an answer within a week or two,’’ Petrillo said. “We’re confident but not overly confident (of retaining Malik). The ball is with him. He needs to give us an answer.”

With another injured Reds stopper Nigel Boogaard (knee) signing a three-year deal with Newcastle Jets for next season, Malik is contemplating a move to Europe which will force Adelaide to look for a quality centre back.

Adelaide-born Malik’s latest injury – a broken bone in his foot and ankle tendon damage – will see the Reds stopper potentially sidelined for a month.

It’s believed Malik has been tabled an offer from a Belgian club with clubs in Switzerland also hovering around the 24-year-old.

Malik has formed a neat partnership with Boogaard and Dylan McGowan in the heart of Adelaide’s defence.

His absence because of injury during United’s shock 1-3 loss to Melbourne City away on Friday was noticed when the home side carved up United for three second-half goals.

But with Malik’s position unsure the club has two foreign spots open after recently re-signing Marcelo Carrusca and Spaniards Sergio Cirio and Isaias. Retaining Spaniards Pablo Sanchez and former Real Madrid attacker Miguel Palanca is a work in progress.

Petrillo said coach Josep Gombau was content with Sanchez, who scored his fifth goal of the season on Friday, and Palanca’s training attitude which hasn’t transpired to A-League form in his four matches.

“Palanca has only been here a very short time and it’s a bit too early to make a call on that one right now,’’ Petrillo said.

“But Josep spoke to both those boys (Sanchez and Palanca) last week.

“They know the situation and over the next few weeks that will be resolved one way or the other.”

Petrillo also revealed reserve goalkeeper Paul Izzo, 20, has been tabled an offer after his deal comes to an end in May. Cam Watson has spoken with Gombau about his future beyond this season.

“We’ve had some discussions with Paul (Izzo),’’ Petrillo said.