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GEELONG'S Socceroo defender Matthew Spiranovic didn't play in last night's World Cup qualifier, but he's got plenty to think about.
His German club, FC Nrnberg has just rejoined the top flight, the Bundesliga, by winning promotion and has offered him a two-year extension on his contract, which still has another year to run.
But it is reported that Fulham, from the English Premier League, has made him an offer worth at least $1 million.
Spiranovic has missed most of this season with hamstring injuries but is keen to regain his place in the Nrnberg first team next season and all the signs are that he will take up the club's offer.
The story of Geelong's other talented central defender who has played for Australia at Youth and Olympic levels, Adrian Leijer, provides a cautionary tale for Spiranovic.
Leijer helped Melbourne Victory win the A-League Premiership in 2006 and then moved to Fulham on an attractive contract.
However, though he made it to the bench for the English club he was unable to oust its established back four as the club rose to seventh in the Premier League
So while the lure of the English Premier League with its world-wide exposure is very tempting, it is not clear that a transfer to Fulham would be a good career move for Spiranovic at this stage.
There is the additional factor that the highly technical Bundesliga suits Spiranovics style of play rather than the frenetic action of the Premier League, where physicality is much more vital.
This has probably counted against Leijer and late last season he went on loan to Norwich City, which unfortunately has just been relegated from the English Championship, the second tier of English football.
His German club, FC Nrnberg has just rejoined the top flight, the Bundesliga, by winning promotion and has offered him a two-year extension on his contract, which still has another year to run.
But it is reported that Fulham, from the English Premier League, has made him an offer worth at least $1 million.
Spiranovic has missed most of this season with hamstring injuries but is keen to regain his place in the Nrnberg first team next season and all the signs are that he will take up the club's offer.
The story of Geelong's other talented central defender who has played for Australia at Youth and Olympic levels, Adrian Leijer, provides a cautionary tale for Spiranovic.
Leijer helped Melbourne Victory win the A-League Premiership in 2006 and then moved to Fulham on an attractive contract.
However, though he made it to the bench for the English club he was unable to oust its established back four as the club rose to seventh in the Premier League
So while the lure of the English Premier League with its world-wide exposure is very tempting, it is not clear that a transfer to Fulham would be a good career move for Spiranovic at this stage.
There is the additional factor that the highly technical Bundesliga suits Spiranovics style of play rather than the frenetic action of the Premier League, where physicality is much more vital.
This has probably counted against Leijer and late last season he went on loan to Norwich City, which unfortunately has just been relegated from the English Championship, the second tier of English football.
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