Agents throwing players at cashed-up Gold Coast United

Overseas player agents are reportedly throwing their clients at A-League Gold Coast United to cash in on owner Clive Palmer’s billions.

Reports are linking the second-year club with former Arsenal and France star Robert Pires and it is believed that other players are keen to come down under and grab a piece of the action.

United coach Miron Bleiberg admitted that many overseas-based players were being linked with the club and said it would be great to lure at least one of them to cover for the loss of marquee man Shane Smeltz who has left for Chinese Super League Shandong Luneng.

“We've been approached by literally hundreds of players and agents and Robert Pires is among them and he is somebody who does command a lot of respect an attention," Bleirberg told goldcoast.com.au.

"Now that the word is out that Clive Palmer is willing to finance a marquee signing, we have been inundated.

"But Pires is somebody you have to take very seriously. He's an attacking fielder which is what I am after. I want somebody to support Joel Porter who will be our main striker from a deeper position. We will see what happens. Hopefully there will be good news for us, for Clive and for the A-League.

“Pires is still a class act. The question will centre on the financial aspect and whether he is willing to commit himself and his family to Australia.

"But he has been offered to us and unlike a lot of other big names offered to us, he played last year and it goes without saying he is more than qualified for the A-League."