Football
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Brisbane Roar can't offer Jamie Maclaren big-money contract - Aloisi

John Aloisi says if it's money that off-contract striker Jamie Maclaren is chasing, Brisbane Roar won't be able to keep him beyond this season.

Maclaren has rejected the A-League club's offer of an extension this week, one his agent Paddy Dominguez described as "disgusting" and "highly disrespectful."

The 23-year-old, who was the competition's highest-scoring Australian player last season, is free to leave the Roar at the end of the current campaign if they can't agree to terms, with either Europe or a rival A-League club his likely destination.

Brisbane may find it difficult to satisfy his salary demands given their marquee slots for next season will be filled by Tommy Oar and Brett Holman, who are on back-ended deals.

But Aloisi, who believes Maclaren can develop even further under his tutelage, was surprised money was suddenly the focus of the contract talks.

"The conversations I've had with Jamie, even to get him here, it was never about money," Aloisi told reporters on Thursday.

"If he scores goals, the money side of things is not a problem for him. It'll come. That's the understanding I had with Jamie.

"If it's about money, no, we can't compete with Melbourne City, Sydney FC, Melbourne Victory, [Western Sydney] Wanderers.

"If it's about developing as a player and the environment that we're creating for not only him but the other players, then I think we can keep him.

"But if the people that look after Jamie decides to go for big money, then Australia is probably not the place, it's more Asia, Middle East, Europe -- not here."

Dominguez told News Corp he was keen to meet Aloisi and Roar football director Craig Moore in Sydney later on Thursday, ahead of Brisbane's A-League clash with Western Sydney on Friday.

Aloisi said he was disappointed the matter is being played out through the media.

"I don't think it's right. He's got my number, he hasn't called me to say he wants to meet up," he said.

"Whether I meet him or not meet him, I don't think it's anyone's business."

Aloisi said Maclaren was coping well with the extra attention.

"It's never ideal but that's part of being a professional footballer, especially as a striker -- you're the one that's talked about most of all in a team, even though it's a team sport," he said.

"Sometimes it can get a bit messy. It's a good test for him."

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