Adelaide United have reportedly reached an agreement with Melbourne City for the services of Stefan Mauk in exchange for versatile defender Osama Malik.
Mauk, 20, will return to his hometown after departing Adelaide in 2012 with the deal expected to be rubber stamped in the next 48 hours, according to the Herald Sun.
Speculation suggested Malik was on the verge of joining City in a swap deal three weeks ago for David Williams, but the latter refused to join the Reds in order to fulfil his European aspirations.
Mauk has been on international duty with the Olyroos in Qatar, but due to their early exit from the tournament, he will arrive in Melbourne before moving back to Adelaide in the coming days.
It is reported that the pair will both sign contracts with their respective sides until the end of the 2017-18 A-League season.
Mauk, whose contract with City expires at the end of the season, has experienced a breakout year with the club, scoring four goals in 12 appearances this campaign.
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However, boss John van’t Schip is prepared to offload his starlet, given the Dutchman is desperate to bolster his defensive stocks as well as the recent acquisitions of midfielders Anthony Caceres and Nick Fitzgerald in the past week.
Mauk is also capable of playing as a winger. He could find it difficult to break into Guillermo’s Amor extremely settled midfield trio of Marcelo Carrusca, Jimmy Jeggo and Isaias.
Meanwhile, Malik, 25, has not featured for United since sustaining an injury against the Newcastle Jets on 22 November and has subsequently been usurped by prodigious talent Jordan Elsey.
The unprecedented rise of young defender Elsey, coupled with the ex-North Queensland man’s apparent transfer request, could be attributed to United’s decision to part ways with one of their prized assets.
Elsey has consummately filled the void left by the injured Malik and can be attributed to Adelaide’s recent resurgence, forming a resolute partnership with Dylan McGowan.
Malik, who amassed over 100 appearances for the Reds, also apparently courted interest from an unnamed Belgian outfit last year.
The 25-year-old has been included in Adelaide’s travelling squad for the match against Brisbane Roar, but could be wrapped in cotton wool to avoid any potential injury.
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