Van Dijk was released by the club three years ago, after falling out with then coach John Kosmina. He has since played club football in Thailand, Iran and Indonesia, and is now a free agent.

Despite being born and raised in the Netherlands, having an Indonesian grandparent allowed van Dijk to play international football for Indonesia. He can therefore be counted as an Asian player which would allow United to field him in Champions League games along with three other foreign players.

EXCLUSIVE: Sergio van Dijk is on the verge of returning to Adelaide United.

— Paul Marcuccitti (@P_M_73) January 13, 2016

Van Dijk, now 33, left Adelaide United in 2013 after scoring an impressive 50 goals in 105 A-League games for the Reds and Brisbane Roar. His 17 goals in the 2010/11 season won him the competition’s Golden Boot.

But if van Dijk is to play in the A-League, Adelaide United would need to release one of its foreign contingent.

That might spell the end of Pablo Sanchez’s time with the Reds. Despite being the club’s leading goal scorer last season, he has not been able to cement his spot in the starting line-up.

InDaily has approached the club for comment.