The 2021-22 A-League Men season is officially over with Western United crowned champions after defeating Melbourne City 2-0 in the grand final.
It was a turbulent campaign that struggled to gain traction for a variety of reasons and the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) are desperate to get more eyeballs on the competition next season.
While Perth Glory's recent marquee signing of Daniel Sturridge backfired with the former Liverpool star unable to play many minutes, the APL believe bringing more big-name players to the A-League Men is an easy way to get fans back on board.
"I look at marquee players as 'bums on seats' players...marquees are genuine world class stars and our game needs it," APL chief executive Danny Townsend said in May ahead of the finals.
"It gets criticised historically as being a bit of a sugar hit - our game needs a sugar hit.
"So let's get lots of sugar into it over the next off-season and you'll start to see a bunch of players come in to the league next season that will put bums on seats.
"What we're doing strategically is looking at 35 players on our list that we want to talk to and we are talking to them at the moment around the world to attract them to our league."
So which star players could be lured to the A-League Men for the 2022-23 season?
Cesc Fabregas
After stints with Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea, Cesc Fabregas is a player with some serious star power.
The 35-year-old, who won the Premier League twice with the Blues, is set to leave Monaco after an injury-hit season in France.
Despite offers to go into coaching, Fabregas is determined to play on and is open to a variety of options.
"I'm open to anything, I just want to have fun. After this year, I just want to play and enjoy my football," Fabregas told So Foot in May.
"The place doesn't really matter, it's more my head that counts. When I'm fit I feel really good, when I'm training with my team-mates I don't feel any different when it comes to passion for the game.
"It's just about finding the right project and doing it. I will look for a new project and see where the future takes me.
"I'm grateful for the career I've had, but I don't feel like it's over. I just want to enjoy my football and continue to be competitive at some level."
Fabregas spent time in Australia in 2018 as part of Chelsea's pre-season tour of Perth and an A-League Men club could well come calling over the off-season.
Nani
The former Manchester United star has been linked with A-League Men interest before and is now rumoured to be on the radar of Melbourne Victory.
Nani joined Italian club Venezia in January following a stint in the MLS but his stay in Italy may be cut short after they were relegated from Serie A this season.
The 35-year-old is contracted until 2023 but the club's relegation likely means he will be allowed to leave.
Nani was twice named an MLS All-Star during his stint in the United States and would no doubt leave his mark in Australia too if he was signed by an A-League Men club.
Luis Suarez
While Luis Suarez has already received a host of offers, the A-League Men would be crazy not to try their luck.
The Uruguayan might not be ready to move to Australia just yet, but a gentle nudge now could see him end up here in the years to come.
Suarez is good friends with Perth Glory star Bruno Fornaroli and the recent Socceroo may prove decisive in ensuring he does end up Down Under at some point.
Diego Costa
The fiery Brazilian-born striker is currently a free agent after exiting Atletico Mineiro in January.
While Costa has been recently linked with a move to the Championship next season, the soon to be 34-year-old is an ideal A-League Men target.
After starring in Spain and England, Costa is a household name with a knack for finding the back of the net and would surely get a few extra fans at games in Australia.
Franck Ribery
Ribery's days of tearing defenders to shreds while on the wing at Bayern Munich are iconic and the Frenchman is still running around the pitch at the age of 39.
Currently based in Italy with Serie A outfit Salernitana, Ribery's 2021-22 season was relatively lacklustre as he failed to find the back of the net but did provide three assists as his club just avoided relegation.
While contracted for another season, it wouldn't be too surprising to see both club and player seek a premature end.
Ribery is reportedly keen to play on and was linked to A-League Men side Western Sydney Wanderers in 2019 when German coach Markus Babbel was at the helm.
