Australian Club Launches Audacious Muntari Bid

Gold Coast United are set to make an audacious bid to land Inter Milan's former English Premier League star Sulley Muntari as a guest player for nine games. The 25-year-old Ghana international, who ignited the Premiership during a two-year spell with Portsmouth, has been left in the cold by Jose Mourinho, just 15 months after his $24million move to the San Siro from Pompey. Now the Ghanaian could be billionaire owner Clive Palmer's answer to ushering in the missing crowds at Skilled Park. The combative but classy ball-winning midfielder with the lethal left-boot has made just three appearances this season for Inter. He is desperate for some first team football before an anticipated January transfer window move to Tottenham, where his former coach at Fratton Park, Harry Redknapp, is preparing the funds to land him for a second time. An Australian agent, acting on Palmer's behest, laid the concept in the table, with Muntari likely to be offered around $25,000-a-game to grace the A-League. Palmer, who is keen to tap into the large English expatriate population base on the Gold Coast; believed to be a group who would swarm to Skilled Park to see Muntari strut his stuff. If negotiations bear fruit, it�s possible Muntari could be unveiled against the Central Coast Mariners on December 5 as United embark on a run of home games, interrupted with a trip to the Newcastle Jets (December 13). Following that, they take on Perth Glory (December 20), Brisbane Roar (December 26) , Adelaide (January 9) and Newcastle Jets (January 13) all at home. They hit the road for Sydney (January 17) and the Central Coast (January 22) followed up by the visit of Melbourne Victory to Skilled Park (January 29) in what could conceivably be Muntari�s last game. Even though the Australian are keen to have Muntari on this short spell, Ghanasoccernet can reveal that his commitments with Ghana will not allow him. The Black Stars play at the African Cup of Nations from 10 January and Muntari is a key play for the West African country. As such this deal is unlikely to be entertained by Muntari and his agents who are keen for him to make an impact in Europe. He has similarly turned down lucrative offers to return to England to play for his former boss Harry Redkanpp who is now the coach of Spurs. While it remains a long shot, Palmer is keen to freshen up United�s squad and remains committed to lifting the A-League crown in the club�s debut season. With resident hardman Steve Pantelidis currently serving his second suspension of the season - and Chinese-based enforcer Jonas Salley opting to remain in the Chinese Super League, Muntari would appeal on several levels. He could fill a spot which has been a source of some concern since the premature departure to Saudi Arabia of Adam Griffiths and his arrival would get the troubled club back into the headlines � this time for the right reasons.