The South American scored 25 goals in his first year in sky blue and white and, not surprisingly, feels he is worth more than the reported $250,000 a year deal he accepted when he joined the club.

City  want to retain their top scorer, and have offered an upgrade to make him one of their marquee players, with a deal said to be worth around $700,000 to $800,000 a year.

That is a substantial increase, although well short of the $2 million a year being bandied around that Fornaroli is believed to be seeking.

The striker still has one year left on his deal, and City would be perfectly entitled to insist that he plays out the terms of his contract.

But the club also wants to ensure they keep a prized asset onside, hence an increased and extended offer.

Fornaroli cannot be blamed for testing the market, but he also has to be careful that he doesn't test it to destruction.

Contrary to common assumptions, City do not have an endless mountain of cash to throw at players. Yes, they have huge reserves, and would undoubtedly spend an enormous amount if they could attract a big-name star who would deliver on the pitch and build their crowds and image. But those sort of players now are more likely to look to the Chinese Super League.

The La Trobe University-based side does have to work within its own budgetary constraints too, both the FFA-imposed salary cap and the spending limits put in place by their owners, English Premier League giants Manchester City.

For all  his brilliant  contributions last season, Fornaroli did not bring punters through the gates in huge numbers.

City have a price and value on all of their players, and if a club came in with the right transfer offer and the right personal deal for the player, then it is likely City would sell him.

However, the Uruguayan is unlikely to command the sort of big money from cashed-up Chinese teams that ageing European superstars do and he might find a multi-million-dollar package hard to come by.

He has played in Europe and been with some prestigious clubs - Sampdoria and Panathinaikos  - as well as the lesser-known Recreativo Huelva.

But he never became an established striker in Spain, Italy or Greece, making a combined 51 appearances in those three countries between spells in his native country and Argentina.

Fornaroli was a sensation in his first season, but City are also likely to want to see that he can repeat that performance in season two, when defenders know more about him and rival coaches will set up to shut him down.

City will be confident that with access to the Manchester club's European scouting system they can find another Fornaroli-type player should he  go. After all, no-one had heard of him until he arrived here last season.

* Former assistant coach Jean-Paul de Marigny will reunite with Melbourne Victory head coach Kevin Muscat for the 2016-17 season.
 
De Marigny, who was Muscat's No.2 when the club won the premiership/championship double in 2014-15, returns  after spending last season with Newcastle Jets.

He replaces Rado Vidosic, who has left after one season as Muscat's assistant.