June 01, 2015 12:04:37 UK
Adelaide United need to loosen the purse strings to make a push for the championship next season, says Spanish head coach Josep Gombau.
The Spaniard claims United had one of the smallest budgets in the A-League last season, when they won their first piece of silverware in nine years.
We are ready to take one more step, we need to put money in.
Josep Gombau
The Reds won the inaugural FFA Cup as well as finishing third in the league and qualifying for an Asian Champions League play-off spot.
Gombau, though, reckons compared to Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC who finished first and second in the league and contested the Grand Final, Adelaide were under-resourced.
“We are ready to take one more step, we need to put money in,” said the coach, who boasts an impressive 48 per cent win record since taking charge in 2013.
“We need one player for the front, one in the middle and one in the back, top quality, so we can fight for everything.”
Adelaide are 7.00 to win the 2015-16 Grand Final, with the Victory 3.75 and Sydney 5.00.
Gombau needs to strengthen ahead of a potential Asian Champions League campaign starting next February. If the Reds, who have qualified for the ACL for the fifth time, win their qualifier they will face a minimum of six group games.
Hopes of signing Serie A leading scorer Luca Toni, identified by the club as an off-season target, look to have been dashed.
The Hellas Verona striker, who finished the season with 22 goals, won’t be released by his club according to president Maurizio Setti.
“Luca is fundamental for us and we have no issues keeping him here,” said Setti. “We’re even prepared to give him a monthly contract if he wants.”
Adelaide are not renewing the contract of Miguel Palanca, who replaced Fabio Ferreira in January, but have yet to make a decision on whether to retain off-contract midfielder Cam Watson.
Don’t forget, all of the fantastic markets we have to offer, including In-Play betting, can be accessed on mobile or tablet with bet365 On The Move. T & Cs apply.
View all Soccer betting
