James Troisi, so often on the move during his career, will unlikely be at Melbourne Victory next season. Credit:Getty Images/Daniel Pockett The first, it is believed, involved a significant wage hike and the designation as marquee player. Agreement could not be reached on that, and, according to insiders, a further deal was tabled but nothing has been signed. Meanwhile rumours continue to build that the 28-year-old will be playing elsewhere next season. Several clubs, including cross city rivals Melbourne City and Western Sydney Wanderers have been mentioned as possible suitors for the Adelaide born and raised player. Troisi has publicly made little comment but in an interview last week he suggested no offer had been tabled - something Victory insists is not the case.

The skilful attacker is in his second spell with Kevin Muscat's team, having played in Europe and the Middle East before returning to Australia to try to reboot his career after those ventures failed to provide him with the platform he wanted. It is undeniable that Troisi made a significant contribution to Victory's solid season. But as reports surfaced that he was looking for a near seven figure sum as a marquee player - which would put him on a bigger wage than current leading scorer and marquee man Besart Berisha - many amongst the club's fan base began to wonder whether he was worth it or whether such a sum, spent elsewhere, might bring greater value next year. Troisi's track record over a peripatetic career has been rather hit and miss: one good year followed by a departure for pastures new or a down season before he reignites interest with a string of good performances for a new club. Muscat needs a major rebuild for next season, and he is off in Europe scouting players on an off season break. The question is whether the coach may eventually decide that such brinkmanship over a player like Troisi, who is talented but does not actually score that many goals, may not be worth it - especially if he can use such a hefty sum to lure a foreign talent who could offer similar or better performance.

Victory has already signed another Socceroo in centre back Rhys Williams and recalled young defender Thomas Deng from a spell in The Netherlands. It has allowed French-Tunisian winger Fahid Ben Khalfallah to join Brisbane, while Spanish defensive utility Alan Baro has moved to Central Coast. Former premiership winning central defender Nick Ansell and midfielder Rashid Mahazi have both also left the club since the Grand Final loss. Postecoglou and the national team squad are now focussed on Thursday's match with the Saudis, a game which will define Australia's prospects of making it to Russia 2018 via the easier method of direct qualification. If Australia can see off the men from the Middle East then they will put themselves in pole position to take one of the top two spots being fought over by themselves, Japan and the Saudis. Loading

After this match Australia faces Japan in Tokyo then finishes off with a home game against Thailand. A win over the Saudis would in all likelihood mean that a point in Japan and three at home to the Thais would see them through without the worries of a play off programme. If they stumble, however, and finish only third then the Socceroos would face a nervous two-legged tie against the third placed team from the other Asian group. The winner of that would then meet the fourth placed nation from the CONCACAF (FIFA's North and Central American) zone in a winner takes all home and away tie for a spot in Russia. That could mean a match with a team like the USA, Honduras or Costa Rica, depending on who finishes in that slot.