The off-contract New Zealand international had been eyeing a move to Asia - the likes of the J1 League or the K-League - but a suitable taker could not be found.
This paved the way for the Sky Blues to swoop, with a deal set to be finalised in the coming days, Fairfax reports.
Despite Victory coming close to matching Sydney’s offer, it’s understood the length of the contract dangled by the Sky Blues was the deciding factor for the 29-year-old.
Barbarouses is coming off a stellar year for Victory - his 15 goals making him the club’s top scorer.
His move to the newly-crowned A-League champions will only intensify the already well entrenched hostilities between the two adversaries.
Barbarouses was in his second spell at the club and switched from the wing to a more orthodox role through the middle last season, to great effect.
Despite earlier reports by goal.com that Barbarouses is set for a marquee deal, the Kiwi striker is set to be accommodated within the salary cap.
He is earmarked to replace Iran international striker Reza Ghoochannejhad who has completed his loan spell from Cypriot side APOEL.
Barbarouses’ management declined to comment when contacted by The World Game.
