Wellington leads chase for Thompson with Victory future in balance

Melbourne Victory legend Archie Thompson is on the wanted list of Wellington Phoenix and has options in the J.League and the Thai Premier League as Victory coach Kevin Muscat ponders whether to offer the veteran striker one more season at AAMI Park.

Archie Thompson believes he still has plenty to offer (AAP) Source: AAP

Muscat has told A-League’s all-time leading scorer there will be no discussions over his future until after Sunday’s grand final against Sydney FC - but that hasn’t stopped clubs signalling a desire to sign the man with 89 A-League goals to his name during a decade with Victory.

“There are a number of clubs interested in signing Archie. He is a natural goalscorer at the age of 36 and is still performing at a high level,” his agent Buddy Farah said.

“Just look at the J.League and see how many players in their mid-30s are out there still producing and still being valued by their clubs, who have shown great loyalty to them.”

Thompson, who is preparing for his fourth grand final knowing that any game time he gets could be his last for the club, is well known to Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick, his one-time mentor at Victory where the pair shared in two championship triumphs.

The Scotsman this month expressed his desire to land a proven goalscorer to replace short-term signing Joel Griffiths who suffered a long-term knee injury at the back end of the regular season.

The bookies believe Thompson is more likely to remain at Victory than to leave, but he showed his frustration at his contract situation on Tuesday when his appearance at a pre-grand final media conference turned into a plea for his future to be resolved by Muscat.

"It's almost getting to a time where the club has to make a decision. I think I have done well this year with the limited time that I have had," said Thompson, who remains a potent presence for the navy blue – albeit off the bench.

“I have scored 11 goals. When I have started matches I have performed and done a job ... and at 36 years old I am still running rings around 19-year-olds.

"I have been treating every game as if it's my last for Melbourne Victory. I want to win something with this club because potentially it could be my last game with this club."

Nine of Thompson’s 25 appearances for Victory this season have come off the bench as he has played second fiddle to the attacking trident of Kosta Barbarouses, Besart Berisha and Fahid Ben Khallfallah.

He is unlikely to start against the Sky Blues but, according to Farah, is putting all his energies into preparing for the game and won’t be distracted by heightened speculation over his future.

“It’s really all about that match now for Archie,” he added. “It’s a grand final and it’s all that matters this week. After that, he can talk and decisions will be made on what happens next.”