Georgievski won't stay at Victory unless price is right

Melbourne Victory grand final fullback Daniel Georgievski said he expects to know soon whether he can do a deal with the club for next season - but he is adamant he won't sell himself short.

Daniel Georgievski

Victory's Daniel Georgievski (AAP) Source: AAP

The Australian-born, Macedonian international told The World Game he has been involved in initial discussions with the club in the wake of the grand final win over Sydney FC and that he expects those talks to resume shortly.

Georgievski left his home city of Sydney almost a decade ago to play in Croatia and subsequently Romania and returned to Australia to play in the A-League on a one-year deal with Victory.

He has been prepared to back his ability over the short term with a view towards winning a more lucrative contract over a subsequent longer term and believes he has proven what he can do.

The 27-year-old Georgievski said he is now looking to upgrade his terms and that while he hopes to do a new deal with Victory he will have to look at other options if the available terms prove unsatisfactory to him.

"After the grand final, before our medal night, there was an offer from the club and I came back with a counter figure," Georgievski said.

"We've all gone on a break since then and I left it to the club to think about what they want to do and we'll come back and talk.

"We'll see if we can reach an agreement but if we can't then that's life, I guess. As much as I would like to stay here, business is business, and that's how it is with clubs as well.

"If we can reach an agreement, fair enough. If we can't, I'll just have to check out other options.

"But I don't want to be doing things over the phone. I want those discussions with Victory to be in person, so we've all been on a break and I'm just waiting for the club now.

"It's through the first stage. They've said what they want and I've said what I want. There is interest from both parties, which is good, and now it's about trying to reach that agreement if it's possible.

"If we can come to an agreement, fine, but if I'm not happy with the offer, then that's that. I respect the club and they have to respect my view as well.

"I'm hoping we can come to a deal, but if we don't then that's just the way it is in football sometimes."

Georgievski said that he had matured at a very young age because of his overseas move and that moving again wouldn't be a problem for him if that is how it works out.

"When I came back to Australia and joined Victory I said to the club I wanted one year and at the end of the year we'd have a chat after I showed the club who I really am as a footballer," Georgievski said.

"I said I'd show the club what I could do in the A-League and what I said I would do, I did. Now it's up to the club whether they want to keep me or not.

"When I came here I wasn't stubborn about what they offered me. I said give me whatever and I'll show you in a year and we'll go from there. One year was all I wanted to show who I am.

"I've got interest from other clubs if I need to go in that direction. I don't want to name them but straight after the grand final a couple of A-League clubs showed interest and they are still interested.

"I said to them Victory had the first call. I'm a very respectful person and I want to give the opportunity to the club that brought me back here for the first bid.

"If we can't reach an agreement and the other options are still open, then, yeah. It is what it is.

"I'm a man of my word, so that's what will happen. It's not just in Australia that there are opportunities for me, either, there's interest from overseas as well."

Georgievski said he has a manager, Tony Rallis, who is advising him on contract issues.

"I've known Tony for a long time, since before I went overseas," Georgievski said. "When I came back I told him I wanted him to represent me while I'm in Australia.

"Tony and I have a good understanding. We can decide what's reasonable and what's not - what's acceptable. I'll discuss it with him before I make any decision. If I'm happy, he'll be happy, and we'll go from there.

"I've been around the block, as they say, in football. I've got a lot of experience in this whole world of football. You can't hold grudges, it's just football. I've showed myself on the pitch, which is what you have to do. It's like, I showed you, now you show me.

"I like being at Victory. It's a good club and a nice environment there. My football has grown and now I get down to the business side of things.

"I think I'll know pretty soon, what's going to happen. It's not my choice - it's up to the club if they want to keep me or not. I've told them what I want, they've got to respect that. If it's not what the club wants to do, then okay, but I think I proved myself.

"I don't want to sell myself short and I don't want other opportunities to disappear. If I have to go elsewhere - including overseas - because I'm not getting what I want, then I will do that. That's just business, there are no grudges in football with me."




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6 min read
Published 18 June 2015 8:19pm
By Greg Prichard

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