Where to next ... Heart are standing firm on talks of a takeover. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited
Melbourne Heart's owners might have no interest in selling the club, but Fox Sports' Mark Bosnich would if he was in their position.
Heart chief executive Scott Munn made it clear during the week that the club's owners weren't interested in selling their controlling stake and have knocked back two South Melbourne offers.
But Bosnich believes we haven't heard the end of this story and is an unabashed fan of the proposal from the former National Soccer League powerhouse.
"Most definitely (I'm a fan)", Bosnich told foxsports.com.au.
"A lot of people are probably a little bit cautious after what happened with Clive Palmer, but there's a big difference between this and what happened there. These people have football history. They've got a very good core support and I'm a big, big fan (of the proposal)."
Munn told the Herald Sun this week: "We've made it very clear we have no interest in taking their offer any further.
"We've been approached this year a couple of times, from the Middle East and a Eurpopean consortium.
"Those conversations were quite open and transparent but we made it very clear that there were some non-negotiables and one of them is that the founding owners always want to retain control.
"We'd love to invest more in areas such as marketing, advertising and most importantly the footy department.
"We can sustain a club, we can post a small profit and that puts us in an enviable position for investors, knowing they won't have to reach into their pocket each year."
The Victorian Premier League side, who made an offer in excess of $3.5m for 100 per cent of the club's license, said that Brazilian legend Emerson had expressed interest in coaching and they had received backing from a major sponsor for their A-League ambitions.
It's a proposal, from a four-time NSL champion, that Bosnich believes can re-invigorate Heart.
"Off the pitch, it's been a struggle for them," Bosnich said.
"The only thing that concerns me is they have to continue to sell players to continue to balance out their books; it has had adverse effects.
"The interest from the South Melbourne consortium, for me, is a wonderful indication of where the league is going. 12 months ago, I don't think you would have heard this.
"They are serious ... they have a wonderful football tradition, were one of the biggest clubs in the old NSL.
"First Australian team ever to play in the Club World Championships - we (Manchester United) played against them in 2000 in Rio - and they have people who genuinely care about the club and Australian football, more importantly.
"I've spoken to one of the people involved in the consortium and very encouraged by what I heard.
"They are very aware of the direction and place Australian football is in. They want to do nothing to harm that, they just want to improve our game.
"They've also got wonderful facilities. The Bob Jane Stadium, which they opened in conjunction with Victorian government is a wonderful facility. It will need a bit of upgrading for the A-League, but they're fine about doing that.
"It's something that will continue throughout the off-season."
Bosnich is not perturbed by the return of a strong NSL identity into the A-League, and believes football in Australia is ready for it.
"Lines wouldn't be blurred – this is a different (South Melbourne) generation.
"They're very aware of Australian football's history, present and future.
"There's no way they want to undermine or jeopardise the wonderful future we've carved out through a lot of hard work, pain and tears.
"I spoke to the guy personally, I will go meet with him in the next couple of weeks and I've got a really good feelings about it.
"I wish them all the best with their bid to become part of, you have to say, one of the most exciting sporting competitions in Australia."
