Adelaide United defender Osama Malik is reportedly on the verge of joining fellow A-League club Melbourne City in a swap deal seeing David Williams move in the opposite direction.
According to Adelaide newspaper The Advertiser, negotiations over the potential swap deal between the two clubs had occurred earlier this week.
Malik, 25, is currently battling a thigh injury and is expected to complete his transfer to City when the January Transfer Window officially opens in Australia on the 5th January.
Malik, who made over 100 appearances for the Reds, also apparently courted interest from an unnamed Belgium outfit last year.
The midfielder-cum defender saw his value increase, after a tremendous 2013-14 campaign under then boss Josep Gombau with speculation rife he was seeking a move abroad.
Nevertheless, the move comes as somewhat as a surprise given the versatility Malik provided for the Reds and despite the fact he had signed a two-year contract extension in March 2015.
However, the unprecedented rise of young defender Jordan Elsey could have been a reason behind 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.
Williams, meanwhile, moved to Melbourne in 2011 amassing 97 league matches and scored on 21 occasions, following his departure from the now defunct North Queensland Fury.
The 27-year-old has largely cut an inconsistent figure with the bankrolled franchise, displaying at times his immense ability, while also struggling for form which has seen his role in the team significantly reduced.
His most productive season with City occurred during the 2013-14 season with the winger netting an impressive 12 goals.
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