Clubless Australia attacker Tim Cahill has rejected a $5 million bid from a Chinese second tier side in a move his agent said proves "he is far from money hungry" after Football Federation Australia insinuated the star snubbed the A-League because they couldn't "meet his needs."
Stung by FFA chief executive David Gallop's public chastisement, a "hurt" Cahill went on the front foot in recent days to proclaim that at no time has he held talks with the FFA over contractual terms or cash.
Cahill's representative Ante Alilovic has weighed into the row and said the 36 year-old forward is more motivated by his desire to continue representing the Socceroos than boosting an already well stocked bank balance.
Alilovic, who brokered the multi-million dollar deal which took Cahill join Shanghai Shenhua 11 months ago, is now spearheading Australia's all-time top goalscorer's quest for a new club before the transfer window closes in China on Friday, and in Korea Republic and Japan towards the end of next month.
"People are putting Tim in the category where he is money hungry, I can tell you he's not," said Alilovic of Cahill, whose contract was mutually cancelled after Shanghai Shenhua's Spanish coach Gregorio Manzano decided he had no use for him.
On Saturday, fellow foreigners Avraam Papadopoulos and Momo Sissoko followed Cahill out the door, as the club confirmed the capture of Obafemi Martins.
"I don't know his financial records but looking at where he's played and what he's done I don't think Timmy's short of money. It's not what motivates him," Alilovic said.
