NEWLY-CROWNED W-League champion Canberra United will do whatever it takes to retain star striker Michelle Heyman as part of a 20 per cent increase in player wages.
The dual Golden Boot winner flies out for Denmark today to take up a five-month contract with Brondby IF and will be the hottest property in Australian women's football upon her return.
United is favoured to win her signature, but faces a significant challenge if Wollongong's bid to enter the W-League for the 2012-13 season is accepted.
Heyman and United defender Caitlin Cooper both hail from Wollongong and would be prime targets for the expansion team.
Capital Football chief executive Heather Reid believed Wollongong would be at least a season away from entering the competition, but was confident of withstanding any raid on the premier's playing stocks if that was fast-tracked.
''If South Coast Football comes in, sure it will put more pressure on us to retain players like Heyman and Cooper,'' she said.
''But I think they would rather stay with a club that will defend the title rather than a start-up club with an unknown capacity and an unknown line-up.''
In contrast, Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams is the only player from the starting XI which beat Brisbane Roar 3-2 in last week's grand final who is guaranteed not to return to defend United's crown.
With wrist surgery ruling Williams out for the entire season, Heyman is likely to become the highest-paid player on United's roster.
United spent a total of $50,000 on player payments last season, a figure that is expected to increase to about $60,000.
Sponsorships will rise at least 10 per cent from the current level of $130,000, while Reid is also after an increase in the ACT Government's grant of $60,000.
''I think it's fair to say we delivered over and above what we promised,'' she said.
''I'd certainly be keen to talk to the ACT Sports Minister (Andrew Barr) given the success of the team and the profile it's given Canberra.''
Recruiting for next season is already under way, with Melbourne Victory midfielder Katrina Gorry among the names being linked with a possible move to the national capital.
United coach Jitka Klimkova - who Reid said was ''99 per cent'' certain of returning - will also look in Europe for a midfielder or a goalkeeper to fill the giant shoes left by Williams.
That almost certainly means reserve goalkeeper Aroon Clansey will be forced out because of regulations relating to international players.
Each team is permitted to have three overseas players on its books, with Clansey, Kiwi teammate Emma Kete and American Taryn Hemmings filling those spots last season. Hemmings will make a decision on whether to return in July or early August.
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