Monesterolo yet to decide future

Sebastian Monesterolo has been repeatedly linked with a return to Maltese football but the Argentine striker will only decide his future destination after the end of his contract with Kuwait Sporting Club.

A deadly goalscorer during his positive one-year spell with Valletta, Monesterolo, 24, has struggled to make the same impact since his mid-season move to Kuwait.

Contacted by The Times yesterday, Monesterolo confirmed his difficulties in holding down a regular place in the Kuwait SC team.

"I did well in my first few games but then there were some differences between the president and the coach and I found myself relegated to the bench," Monesterolo said.

"I don't know the exact reasons behind my omission. I have only played six games for Kuwait SC but I was back in the first XI for the last cup match and I felt my performance was quite good. My ambition is to stay in the team for the remaining matches as the season here does not finish before June 25."

Valletta are reportedly keen on taking Monesterolo back on board if he chooses to return to Maltese football while other local clubs are also said to be monitoring the situation.

Monesterolo admitted to being tempted by the lure of a return to Malta during the past few weeks but he is determined to bide his time.

"I thought about returning to Malta next season but I don't want to rush," he added.

"Everyone knows that I have special feelings for Valletta and in life, you never know what's around the corner but I will consider my options once my contract here is finished."

Asked to comment on speculation about interest from a club in Qatar, Monesterolo said: "I'm aware that there might be some offers from clubs in Qatar as well as other countries.

"But, I'm still contracted to Kuwait SC and it's therefore too early to determine my future plans."

Meanwhile, The Times has learnt that Floriana are poised to part ways with coach Joe Grech.

Grech has another year remaining on the two-year deal he signed with Floriana in summer 2006 but the club's top brass have already informed him of their intention to terminate his contract.

For the second successive season, Floriana failed to make the Championship Pool but they secured their Premier League status without much difficulty.

The two parties have yet to agree compensation terms but well-placed sources said that Floriana have already identified Jesmond Zerafa and Danilo Doncic as their two main candidates for the coaching job.

Zerafa, who is also reported to be the target for Qormi, has been in charge of Division One Club Tarxien Rainbows for the past three years and Doncic was coach at San Gwann this season.

One Floriana player who is widely expected to move on this summer is Ian Azzopardi.

The Malta defender, whose contract with the Greens expires at the end of this season, is set to join Sliema Wanderers.

Sliema for Bogdanovic

Sliema are also willing to sign Daniel Bogdanovic for what would be his fourth spell with the club. He is in the final weeks of his contract with champions Marsaxlokk.

The 27-year-old Malta striker confirmed to The Times that Sliema Wanderers and Birkirkara have expressed an interest in signing him.

Bogdanovic still has high hopes of sealing a move to a foreign club, though.Earlier this season, he had a short trial with English club Watford.

A club from Cyprus are also reported to be preparing a bid for Bogdanovic, who finished this season as the Premier League's top scorer with 31 goals.