Moscow back flip torpedoes Franjic's Melbourne City move

EXCLUSIVE: Australia defender Ivan Franjic was poised to join Melbourne City on loan during the January transfer window, only to have the move scuppered at the last minute by his Russian club, Torpedo Moscow, which had initially agreed to the deal.

Ivan Franjic in action for the Socceroos during the Asian Cup. (Getty) Source: Getty Images

Sources close to the deal have revealed how close Franjic came to joining the A-League club, as he remains in Melbourne for rehabilitation on the jarred hip injury he sustained in the Socceroos' 2015 AFC Asian Cup semi-final win over United Arab Emirates,.

Despite initially signing off on the arrangement, Torpedo had an 11th-hour change of heart, insisting Franjic return in time for the beginning of the Russian Premier League season on 7 March.

The 27-year-old has only made two appearances for the Moscow club since joining it in August 2014, as a combination of injuries have conspired to limit his opportunities in the first team.

He is said to be unhappy about the A-League move falling through, although when contacted by The World Game  Franjic claimed there was "nothing in it".