It is understood University of NSW mid Reuben Mendes, who scored a goal in the 4-2 win on Sunday, approached Wagga City Wanderers, who had played earlier against Avalon at Rawlings Park 1, and proposed a mid-season transfer.

The transfer’s on the cards because Mendes plans to move to Wagga in June to complete a three-month farm-work stint and extend his visa.

Wanderers coach Ben Schmid would not confirm reports Mendes has approached the club.

However, UNSW coach Nestor Moreno confirmed he’s aware that his club may lose Mendes when the mid-season transfer window opens on May 22.

Moreno will work to prevent Mendes’ departure.

“He’s a very good player, if we can help him stay, we will,” he said.

“I’m sure Wagga would be really interested in him.

“He hasn’t approached us, but we will sit down with him and see what we can do.

“We are at our limit, I signed 26 players to prevent what happened last season.

“If we get some players of note from overseas, and chances are we will, we’ll be looking for room.

“In saying that, it won’t affect Reuben, he’s in our starting 11.”

State League clubs cannot offer remuneration to players, making it more challenging to pin them down.

“That doesn’t seem to stop other clubs,” Moreno said.

“We’re not in a position to do that anyway, we’ll do whatever we can.”

Clubs can pay for uniforms, sporting equipment and arrange work for their players.

A club can refuse to release a player, however, Football NSW has the authority to force a release, and often exercises it – Wanderers lost Scottish recruit Daniel Maclennan in 2016 in a forced release.

Ultimately it’s the player’s choice, as long as they move during the transfer window, in this case between May 22-June 30.

Moreno’s under 20’s UNSW squad won the premiership in 2016.

“We’re in an ascendancy," he said.

“I’ve come back to the club to start rebuilding it.”

The seasoned state league coach believes his club’s success this year may be the key to keeping Mendes.