Premier League clubs circle for in-demand Mooy
When Australia midfielder Aaron Mooy arrived on loan at Huddersfield back in August, the Terriers were among the bookies' favourites to go down.
Nine months later, the modest Yorkshire club stands on the precipice of the Premier League, with the Australia midfielder the main architect of its stunning ascension.
To have reached the play-offs after a fifth-placed Championship finish will mean nothing, though, to Mooy should the Terriers fall short in their two-legged showdown with Yorkshire rival Sheffield Wednesday, with the opener at the John Smith's Stadium on Sunday night (AEST).
The victor will head to Wembley for the match dubbed the richest in football - the Championship play-off final.
Whether David Wagner's side make it or not, Mooy's Sydney-based agent Paddy Dominguez has no doubt the gifted honorary Yorkshireman will be playing in the EPL next season, as interest and inquiries over his availability continue to cascade.
"There are several options available to Aaron," said Dominguez.
"He's contracted to (parent club) Manchester City, and he may get taken back there and be evaluated by Pep Guardiola during pre-season, with a view to being in their squad next year.
"Then, depending on whether Huddersfield go up or not, he's won all the internal awards there and is clearly a fan favourite, so you'd imagine he'd be a transfer target for them.
"The third option is other clubs who are interested ... and there is a huge amount of interest in Aaron from both the leading teams in the Championship and clubs in the Premier League.
"People know now who he is and what he's capable of.
"Behind the scenes we've been monitoring that interest and once he gets the play-offs out of the way, he'll have sit down and decide what he wants to do."
After a nervy end to the regular season, which saw the Terriers lose three of their last four games, Wagner has all but locked down his squad ahead of their first leg against the Owls ... determined to avert a case of stage fright at the worst possible time.
Mooy's mind, like those of his teammates in being sharpened for two momentous matches in four days, while back in Australia Dominguez plots the path ahead.
"One big factor in his decision will be the fact it's a World Cup year," he said.
"It means everything to him to qualify for the World Cup and then go to Russia and perform – so whatever decisions he makes will be strategic with a view to maximizing his playing time.
"He wants to be in top physical condition for Australia, assuming he is selected.
"Every football player on the planet wants to play at the highest possible level he can, and Aaron is no different.
"For him right now, with the country he is playing in, that highest level is the Premier League."
Blessed with an effortless elegance allied to a combative streak, Mooy appears to possess the tools to flourish in the EPL.
Dominguez certainly believes so, saying: "Aaron has looked really comfortable in the Championship, you can see that in his performances.
"He has played within himself and what that tells you is that he has another gear to go, and the only other gear left is the Premier League.
"I actually think to play with the right team in the EPL, he will still have an impact.
"I don't think he's going to go to that level and disappear – I think he will still shine.
Dominguez was instrumental in moving Socceroos skipper Mile Jedinak to Crystal Palace when it was a Championship side, and sees a symmetry with Mooy.
"Aaron is almost following that similar path," he said.
"We hoped Mile would grow into a Premier League player by having a good Championship season and going up with Palace, and that's exactly what happened."
