Brendan Rodgers insists he will give Scott Brown all the time he needs to decide on his Celtic future.
As Sportsmail exclusively revealed, ambitious Australian newcomers Western Melbourne want to make the former Scotland skipper their marquee signing if an application to join the A-League from October 2019 is successful.
Out of contract next summer, the 33-year-old is in talks with Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell over a new deal at Parkhead. Conceding Brown is at a stage in his career where he might want a change of scenery, however, Rodgers says he will give his on-field leader the time and space he needs to resolve his future.
'I'm not surprised if there are people in for Scott,' said the Celtic boss. 'He's shown such incredible loyalty to Celtic - but he has got the football rewards from it as well. After ten years, he's been great for the club.
'But he's getting towards the cycle of life for a footballer where he may want to look at other things. Scott loves it at Celtic and loves being here, but players can get offered a financial reward late in their career for two or three years.
'They may not get that again in their life. There is no doubt that Scott - whether he stays here or goes - will be back one day as a coach or manager.
'But the great thing is that people are looking at him again in that sort of way. He's at the top of his game, he's in a great moment in his footballing life.
'He's happy and he's developing, so let's see what happens between now and the end of the season.
'Scott is very focused on what he's doing right now.' Sportsmail understands Brown has already spoken with both Rodgers and Lawwell about the prospective opening in Australia.
Western Melbourne Group's director of football Steve Horvat refused to offer a specific comment on Brown on Friday, but admitted: 'We have made our aspirations quite clear in the media about signing high-profile marquee players and coaches for our first season if granted a licence.
'I cannot verify these claims as we have spoken to numerous agents who may be reaching out to players and coaches.
'We do understand that time is of the essence and that, if awarded a licence, we need to hit the ground running with appointments.' The club have already revealed plans for a new 15,000-seat stadium and training complex, with Australian website The World Game claiming agent Lou Sticca was recently in Europe speaking to prospective coaches and potential marquee signings.
Western Melbourne hope Brown and his family will opt for a change of lifestyle after 11 years at Celtic and a career which has seen him win eight league titles, four Scottish Cups and five League Cups.
'If it comes to a conversation about the bigger picture then, of course, from a professional point of view you want Scott to be here,' added Rodgers.
'He is a huge influence on the team and players. But there is also a personal aspect as well.
'I never try and sway players either way. I try and give them the balance and it's like with your kids.
'When they get older they have to make the big decisions. You can't make them for them. You can consult and guide but, ultimately, they need to make the decision and Scott is a big boy.
'Life is about experience and if you can do that and experience something else, it can make you more open. 'And if your children can experience it as well, great.
'It can sometimes make you appreciate what you actually have as well, so great.
'It's a different challenge, different culture and, of course, different weather.' One of six clubs vying for two new places in the A-League, Western Melbourne's move for Brown hinges entirely on Football Federation Australia accepting their A-League application.
Vowing to give his skipper the time he needs to get things straight in his mind, Rodgers added: 'The one thing Scott deserves is time but, like I say, it's all speculation at the moment.
'I won't be surprised if there are a few interested in him coming into his last year.
'I know he is happy speaking with the club as well, so by the end of the season we will know either way what is happening.' Rodgers, meanwhile, has rejected claims in the Australian media that Manchester City plan to use a break clause in Socceroos winger Daniel Arzani's two-year loan deal in Glasgow if he fails to break into the first team.
'His situation is very simple,' said Rodgers. 'He's a 19-year-old boy who has come in for two years to get experience.
'He has burst on to the scene and of course they will want him to do well. But there is no exit clause.
'He is adapting to a more physical game. There are lots of things - but he is very happy and we have been very pleased in terms of how he is making progress.'