ADELAIDE United is investigating the prospect of a marquee signing for the new season.

And with Italian injured defender Iacopo La Rocca close to gaining an Australian passport, United could move the stopper off the imports list, leaving it two foreign spots to fill.

Football Federation Australia is helping United to explore its marquee player prospects, with the governing body presenting the Reds with a list of options.

Money may not be as big an issue than in previous year.

The Reds board has decided to hand the football department the biggest budget in club history after the team claimed the championship and Premier’s Plate last season.

Reds chief executive Grant Mayer says the bitter disappointment of Wednesday’s FFA Cup exit to minnow Redlands United lingers while the club looks to bolster its stocks.

“We are well aware of the weight of expectation we now carry after being crowned A-League champions,’’ Mayer said.

“That said, it’s important that everyone retains some perspective on our position.

“Football staff are working overtime on building a highly competitive squad for 2016/17.

“Time is on our side and we will make the recruitment decisions that are right for the club. “Ongoing success is top of mind”

After losing Stefan Mauk (NEC), Craig Goodwin (Sparta Rotterdam), Bruce Kamau (Melbourne City), Pablo Sanchez (Llagostera) and Bruce Djite (Suwon FC) from last season, the club’s hierarchy is hell bent on bolstering the squad with reputable players, given Adelaide will also contest the 2017 AFC Champions League.

It’s understood Adelaide has cast its eyes up Spanish winger/striker Aaron Niguez, 27, Senegalese-born winger/striker Mohamed Coullibaly, 27, and Paraguayan international striker Pablo Zeballos, 30.

Niguez was contracted to Portugal’s Braga, Coullibaly was released by Spain’s Sporting Santander last month while Zebalos is contracted to Sportivo Luqueño of Paraguay.

La Rocca, 32, is due to miss some of United’s preseason after X-rays revealed he had fractured his cheekbone during Wednesday night’s FFA Cup loss.

Doctors are still contemplating whether La Rocca needs surgery.