Sage distances Glory from Keogh-Fornaroli swap speculation

Perth owner Tony Sage insists speculation of a swap deal involving Glory striker Andy Keogh and unwanted Melbourne City marquee Bruno Fornaroli is wide of the mark.

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Irishman Keogh, 32, has, according to Sage, been offered a new two-year deal, and is a “required player” with the A-League table-toppers, despite feverish talk of the club’s apparent willingness to let him go.

While yet to put pen to paper, Keogh, who has scored seven goals in 11 appearances this season, has told Glory he will make a decision later this month, and Sage expects him to stay.

“The playing roster is in the hands of (coach) Tony Popovic and (football director) Jacob Burns. However, as I understand it, Andy is a required player for us,” he said.

“We are not looking to let him go, otherwise why would we have offered a contract renewal? That wouldn’t make any sense.

“Even if we wanted Fornaroli, there is no way we could squeeze him under the salary cap.

“We are more than happy with our squad and how Andy Keogh has been performing.”

Keogh will be rested for tonight’s visit of third-placed Sydney FC in a pre-planned move by Popovic.

Sage, though, expects his absence to further fuel innuendo of an impending exit.

“I’m sure people will read all sorts of things into it,” he added.

“The reality is he’s played all 11 games this season and Tony Popovic told the players they might be rested at appropriate times, this is the time he’s chosen to give Andy a breather.

“There’s nothing more to it than that.”

Fornaroli, whose $1.4 million deal with City expires at the end of the season, has been out of favour since November, and has a broken relationship with coach Warren Joyce.

“There’s no doubt he’s a quality player but we are not in a position to do anything in regard to marquees until next season, and are more concerned with building on what we’ve achieved so far this season without the distractions,” added Sage.