Brisbane Roar hope to complete the signing of Spanish midfielder Alex Lopez, after missing out on Mathieu Flamini.
The Roar had been chasing former Arsenal star Flamini, bidding to bring him to the A-League on a marquee contract, but the 34-year-old has reportedly told them he needs to concentrate on his business interests for the moment.
Coach John Aloisi has switched his focus to free agent Lopez, who spent seven years in La Liga with Celta Vigo.
The 30-year-old spent last season in Spain's Segunda Division with Sporting Gijon.
Aloisi is keen to secure the former youth international, who had a loan stint at Sheffield Wednesday in the English Championship in 2015-16.
Lopez would add further depth to a Brisbane midfield contingent that has already been bolstered by the signing of Stefan Mauk during the off-season.
Aloisi also has skipper Matt McKay, Danish veteran Thomas Kristensen, young gun Joey Caletti and former Socceroo Brett Holman in his midfield group.
Lopez has been keeping fit by training with Racing de Ferrol, the club he started his senior career with in 2005.
The central midfielder is expected to arrive in Brisbane next week to link with the Roar, who begin their A-League campaign on 21st October at home to Central Coast Mariners.
Mauk, who has signed a four-year deal after joining from Dutch side NEC, said: "Bringing in a quality player will definitely add to our team. We've still got four weeks for someone new to get used to the team and quality players adapt quickly.
"We're going to have a good midfield. Most games are normally won in that area, so we need to make sure we keep on improving and working as a team."
The Roar are 1/1 to win their first game of the A-League season against Central Coast Mariners, who are 23/10, with the draw 14/5.
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Brisbane Roar hope to complete the signing of Spanish midfielder Alex Lopez, after missing out on Mathieu Flamini.
The Roar had been chasing former Arsenal star Flamini, bidding to bring him to the A-League on a marquee contract, but the 34-year-old has reportedly told them he needs to concentrate on his business interests for the moment.
Coach John Aloisi has switched his focus to free agent Lopez, who spent seven years in La Liga with Celta Vigo.
The 30-year-old spent last season in Spain's Segunda Division with Sporting Gijon.
Aloisi is keen to secure the former youth international, who had a loan stint at Sheffield Wednesday in the English Championship in 2015-16.
Lopez would add further depth to a Brisbane midfield contingent that has already been bolstered by the signing of Stefan Mauk during the off-season.
Aloisi also has skipper Matt McKay, Danish veteran Thomas Kristensen, young gun Joey Caletti and former Socceroo Brett Holman in his midfield group.
Lopez has been keeping fit by training with Racing de Ferrol, the club he started his senior career with in 2005.
The central midfielder is expected to arrive in Brisbane next week to link with the Roar, who begin their A-League campaign on 21st October at home to Central Coast Mariners.
Mauk, who has signed a four-year deal after joining from Dutch side NEC, said: "Bringing in a quality player will definitely add to our team. We've still got four weeks for someone new to get used to the team and quality players adapt quickly.
"We're going to have a good midfield. Most games are normally won in that area, so we need to make sure we keep on improving and working as a team."
The Roar are 1/1 to win their first game of the A-League season against Central Coast Mariners, who are 23/10, with the draw 14/5.
View all Soccer betting
Source: bet365.com