‘See what unfolds': Socceroo's future up in the air
Tilio, 23, has completed back-to-back loan stints at City after returning to the club in February last year just seven months after leaving to join Celtic on a five-year deal.
Reports out of Scotland suggest that Celtic are keen to part ways with Tilio – who is with the Socceroos squad in Perth ahead of Thursday night's FIFA World Cup qualifier against Japan – on a permanent basis.
Tilio's impressive form in the second half of the A-League season has City keen for him to remain with the club – whether via a transfer or another loan – for a 2025-26 campaign that will include participation in the AFC Champions League Elite competition.
City officials are confident that if Sydney-born Tilio stays in the A-League for another season, it will be with the Melbourne club.
Tilio has made no secret of his desire to again test himself in European club football.
'That's the plan,' he said following City's 1-0 grand final win over Melbourne Victory last Saturday night at AAMI Park.
'I'll go away now, see what unfolds, what my options are and make the best decision that I feel for my career.'
Tilio's Socceroos teammate Daniel Arzani, who had a two-year loan spell at Celtic from 2018 to 2020, has been linked with a return to Scotland to join Hearts.
The 26-year-old playmaker's two-season Victory contract expires this month.
British entrepreneur Tony Bloom, who owns a 19.1 per cent stake in the Victory, is also set to become a part-owner of Hearts.
Meanwhile, title-winning City midfielder Steven Ugarkovic is set to leave the champions to rejoin Western Sydney Wanderers.
Ugarkovic, 30, spent the 2021-22 A-League season with the Wanderers after more than five years with the Newcastle Jets.
He joined City in 2023 after spending a season at Wellington Phoenix.
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