Australia's top goalscorer Tim Cahill had recently turned down a contract extension offer from Chinese Super League team Hangzhou Greentown and is speculated to be close to join A-League club Melbourne City.

The 36-year-old Socceroo, who was acquired by the Green Giants last February after his former CSL squad Shanghai Shenhua released him, admitted that he was humbled by Hangzhou's "amazing" offer but he had chosen to go back to Australia because of his family.

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"This decision is based on me wanting to be with my family," said Cahill, via BBC Sport. "The passion of the fans at every game, home and away, has been amazing and I've loved being part of it all."

Cahill featured in 16 games for Greentown this term and had scored four goals for them. He spent the whole of last season with Shanghai Shenhua, scoring 11 goals in 28 appearances, before Shanghai's new head coach Gregorio Manzano said he is a surplus to his requirements and the club terminated his contract.

Football Federation of Australia CEO David Gallop confirmed that there had been "positive talks" between Cahill's representatives and Melbourne City's as an impending deal is soon to come.

Gallop also said that it was "the right time" for the forward, who is the Australia national squad's leading goalscorer in history with 47 goals in 91 caps, to come back and play for his home country.

"I met with his manager yesterday and spoke to Tim last night. It's not appropriate to say more than there are positive talks ongoing," Gallop said, as per SkySports. "And I've said before, we'd love to have Tim playing in the A-League, I believe it's the right time in his career."

"If you're bringing back the Tim Cahills of the world, they can really make a difference in the marketing of this league," the chief executive added.

Cahill had featured for English clubs Millwall and Everton, MLS side New York Red Bulls, and then the two teams from China, but never for any Australian team.

If the deal with Melb City pushes through, then it would be the first time in his almost 20-year senior career that he will suit up for a hometown club.

TagsChina Football, Chinese Super League, Chinese Super League news, Tim Cahill, Hangzhou Greentown FC, Melbourne City FC