Newcastle Jets chief executive Lawrie McKinna insists that A-League clubs are keen to strike a deal as protracted pay talks between owners and the players union threaten to delay the payment of player wages.
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Monthly salaries for contracted players are deposited on the 15th of each month, but with negotiations on a pay deal seemingly at an impasse, it is unclear whether that will occur on Tuesday.
The Jets have 14 players contracted for next season.
"It is all up in the air," said McKinna, who is not directly involved in the talks. "The plan is to pay the players as per normal but there has been no agreement yet. Talks are ongoing. The clubs genuinely want to get a deal done. The PFA is due to come back to the clubs today."
The owners, whom are faced with a $34 million reduction in the broadcast deal, have put forward a piecemeal 30 per cent wage cut to selected squad members as part of a new collective bargaining agreement for next season.
That proposal is unlikely to be accepted by the players, which could be the trigger for clubs to stand them down.
Such a move would infuriate the players, who are currently on a break, and could have legal implications. Theoretically, that course of action would be in breach of the standard contract and open the door for players to walk out of current arrangements.
Head of A-League Greg O'Rourke has been involved in the negotiations but Football Federation Australia boss James Johnson has indicated that he will intervene if the clubs and players union fail to finalise an agreement this week.
As well as a pay deal, the CBA will cover the salary cap, which could drop by a third from $3.2m to $2.1m, and determine a start date for the 2021 season.
Initially slated for December, the more likely time frame is January.
The Jets are waiting for clarity on the pay deal and salary cap before continuing talks with captain Nigel Boogaard and Welsh international Joel Ledley.
Coach Carl Robinson wants to re-sign both but indicated he would be limited by the budget.
However, with Ledley back in Wales and wanting to relocate his family to Australia, the midfielder's situation is more problematic due to COVID-19 border restrictions.
"It is going to be hard for any player to bring in family," McKinna said. "We are continuing talks with Joe. Players will be able to come to Australia but there is no guarantee regarding their family. We will have to wait and see with that."
The World Game website reported on the weekend that League One clubs Shrewsbury Town and Portsmouth were interested in Matt Millar but McKinna said he had not been contacted by the either club or the fullback's player agent.
Millar, who scored four goals and provided two assist last season, has two year remaining on his contract.
"The last I got told was that he didn't qualify for a British passport," McKinna said. "That was a few months ago. We have not been contacted by anybody
Portsmouth and Shrewsbury fought out a nil-all draw in the season opener on Sunday.
The League One transfer window closes on October 5.
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IN SPORT:
James Gardiner
James Gardiner, chief football and rugby writer at the Newcastle Herald.
James Gardiner, chief football and rugby writer at the Newcastle Herald.
