MELBOURNE Victory are eager to re-sign Carlos Hernandez, but will not pay an inflated transfer fee for the attacking midfielder.

The talented Costa Rican international's two-year loan deal with Melbourne runs out at the end of the season and Victory would need to complete a series of negotiations for him to return to Australia.

Central to those negotiations, aside from agreeing personal terms, would be Victory signing Hernandez outright from Costa Rican club LD Alajuelense if an affordable transfer fee can be arranged.

In fact, the transfer fee might be the main sticking point.

Victory are mindful not to overextend their budget by paying too much for any player, not just Hernandez.

"We'd love to keep Carlos in Australia and he's indicated he'd like to stay," Victory football operations manager Gary Cole said.

"It's a work in progress and we're trying to make it happen between the four parties: two clubs, Carlos and his agent.

"Ultimately, I'm a representative of the Melbourne Victory board and I will put a number of options in front of them to consider.

"Everything is negotiable, but not too many clubs in Australia pay transfer fees.

"Not many clubs are in a position to pay transfer fees."

That's not to say Victory would not pay a fee for Hernandez, who will still be contracted to LD Alajuelense when his loan deal with Melbourne expires.

But it would have to be a reasonable one, in keeping with the A-League financial structure.

Now in his second season with Victory, Hernandez has shown what he is capable of when fully fit and motivated and has said he would like to continue in the A-League with Melbourne for at least a third season.

"I'm doing whatever it takes to stay here, but it's not my decision," Hernandez said in September.

"It is Melbourne Victory's decision. I have to let my football do the talking."

Victory also face a similar situation with defender Michael Thwaite, on a one-year loan deal from Norwegian club SK Brann.

Melbourne face increased competition in the transfer market for Thwaite and all other players from new A-League franchises Gold Coast United and North Queensland Fury.

With 15 players under contract for next season, Victory will continue to bed down their squad for 2009-10 as negotiations with several players continue.

i love those parts,
but i'm really not sure we can afford him.

Tom you post a lot of threads.