Macarthur eye loan move for Socceroo Garang Kuol

Macarthur have emerged as a potential landing spot for Garang Kuol after holding talks over a loan move for the forgotten Socceroo.

AAP has been told that the Bulls have held preliminary discussions with Kuol's Premier League club Newcastle United over a short-term deal.

If the two clubs can come to an agreement, Kuol would join the Campbelltown-based Bulls until the end of the A-League Men season before returning to England.

Kuol, 20, has endured a difficult time since his move to Europe following the 2022 World Cup.

The former Central Coast Mariners winger was first loaned to Scottish side Hearts but failed to kick on during a second loan move to Holland.

Kuol struggled to make a Volendam side that was relegated to the Dutch second division last season and he has since spent time recovering from a quad injury back at Newcastle.

Over the last month the five-cap Socceroo has encouragingly got through three 90-minute outings for Newcastle's academy side.

The Magpies have said they would be open to exploring a short-term loan move for Kuol, but only on the condition it helps the winger reignite his career.

"We don't want to send someone for a token gesture because it looks good to send them on loan," Newcastle's under-21s manager Diarmuid O'Carroll said last week.

"We want from now on every loan to be tailored to the needs of the player."

Sixth-placed Macarthur would appear to fit that description given Kuol could slot straight in for Jed Drew, who recently completed a switch to Austrian side TSV Hartberg.

Drew led the ALM in goal involvements - six goals, seven assists - prior to his move to Austria and Kuol shapes as a ready-made replacement.

Drew's sale follows a busy period of transfers for the Bulls, who have opened up significant salary cap space over recent weeks.

Macarthur have sold striker Ariath Piol to Major League Soccer's Real Salt Lake along with defender Oli Jones leaving for a fee to join Danish club Randers.

Belgian defender Dino Arslanagic was released last month following a drunken incident in a Sydney bar and the Bulls have identified French-born centre back Kevin Boli as his replacement.

Boli, 31, has been in talks with Macarthur and has extensive experience in Romania, Iran and Turkey.