Melbourne Victory has attempted to resolve its lack of goalscoring prowess by signing two Brazilian strikers for the upcoming A-League season.

Left-footed Claudinho, 24, comes from Brazilian giants Atletico Paranaense, while 26-year-old Helbert Frederico Carreiro da Silva, known as Fred, arrives after an impressive stint with one of Paranaense's local rivals, Guarani.

Victory coach Ernie Merrick previously stated the club would sign just one Brazilian, but admitted he had always hoped to acquire both players.

"We were looking for players who fitted our criteria - they had to be young, quick, skilful and available on a free transfer, so it was a tough ask, but we're delighted to get them." Merrick told AAP.

"Claudinho is 6'1 (186cm) and a powerful out-and-out striker, while Fred is a bit more of a technical player who comes in from deep, both are very skilful and both will slot in well to the way we play."

"They'll give us the type of firepower we lacked when we lost Archie Thompson (on-loan to PSV Eindhoven) last year."

Fred's hot form with Guarini saw Paranaense and fellow big guns Cruzeiro join the hunt for his signature, but Merrick's up-front offer - done after consultation with former South Melbourne midfielder Steve Panopoulos, who now lives in Brazil - was too good to refuse.

Both players land in Melbourne on Sunday, with Claudinho, a former junior with French club Strasbourg, being allowed to leave thanks to the relationship fostered between Paranaense and Victory.

"I was introduced to (former German captain) Lothar Matthaus and their director of overseas transfers, and because they wanted to build a relationship with us as well, they were willing to release (Claudinho), who had a deal until 2008, for free."

While Matthaus has since left as manager, both clubs are committed to strengthening their relationship in coming years, which could provide Melbourne with a potential goldmine of South American talent.

Merrick said Victory was on the verge of securing the signature of an overseas left-back who would be "a very, very exciting player", and was "two or three weeks away" from finalising more midfield signings.

Merrick confirmed he'd contacted Socceroos winger Stan Lazaridis about a potential shift to Olympic Park, but was respectfully turned down by Lazaridis, who admitted his homesick family were looking for a move to either Perth or Adelaide.

The club was also linked with moves for Danny Invincible and Danny Tiatto, but Merrick said both players were still keen to stay put in Scotland and England respectively.

Merrick officially withdrew from the chase for ex-Melburnian Simon Colosimo earlier this week, with the former Carlton star pricing himself out of a move to Melbourne.

"Simon came to us and was very keen to play for us, but we couldn't meet his wage demands and we're now looking elsewhere," Merrick said.

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