MELBOURNE Heart could be the unlikely destination for a French star seeking a new club.
The agent of striker Kevin Gameiro has contacted Heart to inquire about the possibility of the 25-year-old playing in Melbourne next season.
If the recruiting coup was to occur, Gameiro would become arguably the best-credentialled player in the A-League.
The eight-time French international made a $14 million move from Lorient to fellow Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain last season, only to quickly fall out of favour with coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Six months before the PSG shift Gameiro was linked to a January transfer to English Premier League club Arsenal.
Heart is known to be opposed to the idea of recruiting a marquee player - who can be paid outside the $2.48 million salary cap for each club - as it seeks to make a profit for the first time next season.
Satisfying Gameiro's wage demands could be the stumbling block.
Gameiro has three years to run on his contract with PSG and Heart is unlikely to be willing to come up with a transfer fee for the 172cm attacker.
But as fanciful as the move sounds, a French source insisted a deal was a possibility.
"He played a lot but he had some problems in France," the source said.
"He can't play for the club in Paris because he has problems with the coach. His agent has searched for another club where he can play more games.
"Melbourne Heart are very interested and the agent of Kevin Gameiro had made contact with them."
Heart officials last night denied the transfer speculation.
YOUNGSTER Tomas Rogic and veteran defender Patrick Zwaanswijk have given Central Coast Mariners a boost by committing to the club for a further season.
The off-contract duo played major roles as the Mariners won the Premiers Plate last season.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/soccer/french-ace-kevin-gameiro-on-melbourne-heart-radar/story-e6frfg8x-1226366078294
