Gold Coast United captain Jason Culina has been given permission to talk to rival clubs as speculation he may be joining Newcastle Jets increases. The marquee midfielder could be off to the Hunter Valley to join father Branko at the Jets next season with United CEO Clive Mensink saying that the Australia international is free to talk to other clubs.

"It's true that Jason and the club's had a chat in extending contract talks but it's also been decided that during this time Jason is free to talk to other clubs internationally and domestically. Whether there's word that Jason's talking to Newcastle I can't tell you," said Mensink.

It is highly unlikely that Culina will go overseas after just having returned from Europe prior to the 2009/10 A-League season but rumours linking him with Newcastle are starting to pick up the pace.