European club chasing Brisbane's Maclaren

A club from one of Europe's top five leagues has approached Brisbane Roar with the intent to sign striker Jamie Maclaren.

Jamie Maclaren. Source: Getty Images

Maclaren, who debuted for his country in the recent 2-1 loss to England after a 20-goal season for the Roar, turned down the chance to join the Aussie rush to the Chinese Super league several months ago, because he favours a move to Europe.

And with the cash-strapped Roar in need of funds, it's likely that they will now listen to offers.

The 22 year-old, who has a season left on his two-year Roar deal, and can sign a pre-agreement with a club in January and leave as a free agent, meaning Brisbane could end up with little or nothing for him should they decline to sell him before then.

With Brisbane in the midst of a change of ownership, from the Bakrie Group to a consortium led by its new managing director Daniel Cobb, finances are tight and the temptation to cash in on Maclaren may be hard to resist.

However, Maclaren's agent Paddy Dominguez made it clear that the forward is in no rush to get out the door, and will only be lured by the “right opportunity, from the right club, at the right time”.

“He can’t go anywhere unless Brisbane is willing to sell him,” he said of the former Perth Glory starlet.

“Anybody interested in an acquiring Jamie will need to contact Brisbane and cut a deal with them."

Dominguez believes that another season under tutorage of Roar coach and former Socceroos striker John Aloisi would be beneficial to Maclaren’s development, and he favours an eventual move to Europe over Asia.

"Jamie's happy to stay another season and learn from John Aloisi, who has plenty to impart in the art of being a striker with his huge international experience in that area," he added.

“If he did go, it would have to be somewhere where he could see himself playing regularly and developing his game … if that doesn’t happen immediately he's not at all fussed."

“He has turned offers down to stay in the A-League before. I personally would like to see him go to Europe at some stage.

"He has the quality to flourish there in the right environment. Of course, he has a bit of work to do, and learning from John has been really positive him in his first season with Brisbane

"But, like I say, if the right opportunity comes at a club where he can progress, then it’s something he will consider. He certainly has all the attributes to be a success in Europe.”

It’s understood that several scouts watched Maclaren against England, and though he didn’t get on the scoresheet he made an impression.

His main goal is to keep pushing for further green and gold call-ups – wherever he plays.