Melbourne Victory are emphatic soccer superstar Harry Kewell is not returning to play at the A-League club.
Kewell was spotted boarding a plane from London to Melbourne on Thursday, sending social media into a frenzy that he was set for another stint with the Victory.
A club spokesman on Friday said Kewell was definitely not coming back to Melbourne to play.
“We’ve got a full squad and two marquee players and no money so he certainly won’t be playing with us,” the spokesman said.
“We have no money left in the salary cap.”
The club said they had not been in contact with Kewell, who has been clubless since he cut ties with the Victory in June to return to England.
The 34-year-old international quit the club to remain by his wife Sheree Murphy’s side while her mother is gravely ill in England.
Cross-city rivals Melbourne Heart also said there were no plans to recruit the Socceroos frontman.
There is speculation his return has been prompted by a fashion photo shoot and the Spring racing carnival, which Kewell enjoyed last year.
If he is to find another club in England it would almost certainly have to wait until the mid-season transfer window in January.
He has been linked to Premier League club Stoke City, championship clubs Blackburn Rovers and Middlesbrough, plus League One Swindon Town.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Kewell *was*. Back in the day, sure. But hiring old, overpriced free agents is the #1 way to cripple your club.
Bondy.
Guest
Australia's best football player voted by the people, he really sets tounges wagging though.
ECP
Guest
You guys are deluded and dumb if you think that Kewell can play football. He got lucky. He is really no better than most NSWPL players. It is only the new dawn that rate Kewell. He just made the most of the opportunities he had. What he did at Liverpool was a true reflection of his very limited ability.
Bondy.
Guest
Melisa Woods, I'm glad you finally wrote an article about football I notice its your very first article on the sport you love your aussie rules and rugby's,keep up the good work.
Roger
Guest
I agree Kasey. He could still offer a lot as a super-sub.
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party
Guest
Harry Kewell is a hack that could do better than the A-League,yeah alright mate.Pretty good for 3 seasons?,maybe you should measure his career at the same age as someone like Gareth Bale who the world is frothing over at the moment.
Reynoldsinski
Guest
If you think that showing someones top 10 goals is a way to judge a player, then you are very naive. It's obvious that he is one of your idols, but you won't get too much support on Merseyside (from knowledgeable or un-knowledgeable fans). What have you got next then, Emile Heskey's top 10 goals that shows what a superstar he is, and how much he is appreciated?
deebhoy
Guest
alot of blokes in england musnt know much about football then fuss,soft and overrated was what i heard most.he had his best years at leeds and even they hate him cause he went to galatasaray.to compare him with giggs 12 years ago was one thing but to do it today is laughable
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Harry Kewell's Top 10 Goals for Liverpool - as good as any scored by the best in the EPL. The true Liverpool supporters, who are extremely knowledgeable, will appreciate what Harry did when he was fit ... Liverpool's medical staff can be blamed for Harry's injury woes. Once he left, he was fit & playing regularly. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQKgLR1X4-k
Bondy.
Guest
I cant understand why money gets used as an excuse all the time for me, he's reportedly earnt more than 55 mill ,do you think he's trying to sign a contract with the mariners or the heart for 3 mill a year,Who thinks that ?. He's 34 you couldnt convince him he'll be playing football in24 months time let alone anybody else. Does anyone think I believe Kewell is waiting to financially move on an A League club to econimically screw it to the canvas ?. He's got 60 million for christ sake. Why is it all about besmerching the guy when he's been simply one of the highest paid sports athletes in the country for over a decade simply due to the magnitude of the sport ,does that annoy some.
Kasey
Guest
Agreed.. do they have a squad spot open though? More rules bending for the FFAs project this early on wouldn't be the best look IMO.
Kasey
Guest
Obviously we aren't privy to the ins and outs of HKs negotiations, but it would fit the way the situation has played out since he left MVC if it is H asking for too much per week that's putting prospective suitors off. Ultimately he needs someone to have a wise word in his ear. Having heard Harry speak, I don't think there's a career for him as a pundit - although some would have said that about Robbie Slater;) As far as I'm aware Football is all he knows. Does he want to play or not? Might be best to accept a paid-as-you-play contract just to get back on the pitch.
Reynoldsinski
Guest
Nigel Clough and Vladimir Smicer also wore the number 7. There might have been some interest from Man Utd, but I don't think the other two are correct. He was going cheap at 5 million as well. When he was signed for Liverpool, their fans and players like Michael Owen were over the moon. I remember an article with Owen stating that he can't wait to be on the end of some of Harry Kewell's passes. Unfortunately that great play that everyone was hoping for, never eventuated on a consistent basis. Looks like we will agree to disagree on this one.
Reynoldsinski
Guest
I'm a big fan of Rafa and I agree that he was right to select Kewell. I don't like having a go at Kewell, but I guess as a fan I was just frustrated that he was never as good as he could have been. Any Liverpool supporter would tell you the same thing. As far as still playing in the EPL, I think Rafa is dreaming there. If he gets the gig at Inter, then we might find out how much he really rates him. Bondy - I wish I was a sportsman of his calibre, or even a quarter of it, but that's not what disappoints me.
jamesb
Guest
Theres been suggestion that Heart are trying to get Kewell. Will see what happens. It would have been nice if Kewell went to WSW, but if he returns to the A-league, than thats a postive. But I also think he should lower his wage demands, if he wants to realistically finish his career on the pitch, whether its here or overseas.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
"After he won the PFA young player of the year, his career went downhill fast. " I can't stop laughing. Harry Kewell voted PFA Young Player of the Year: 1999–00. In 2003, Harry signed for Liverpool and was given the prestigious No. 7 - worn by Liverpool legends Kevin Keegan, Kenny Dalglish, Peter Beardsley, Steve McMannamen. In deciding to sign for the club he supported as a kid, Harry turned down offers from Milan, Man United & Barcelona. But .. yeah, those who didn't follow his football career think it went downhill after 1999/00!
jamesb
Guest
Hussballs time of his post says it all
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
To this day, Rafa Benitez stands by his decision to start that UCL final - which LIverpool won - with Harry & Benitez thinks H is still good enough to play EPL. I'll listen to Benitez's assessment of Harry, before I listen to anyone on this forum. http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/251390,snap-up-kewell-says-rafa-benitez.aspx
Kasey
Guest
Would be an inglorious end to the career of one of our finest ever players if he just faded away after only one season for Melbourne Blue. At his age, surely he can still do a job off the bench? As a part role player he would also be brilliant for the younger kids on the training paddock.
Realfootball
Guest
I loved watching Harry at his prime, but players play in the present. That was more than 10 years ago. Can't see the relevance of it to anything now, apart from a history lesson. Still technically superb, but he's lost his pace and he's 34. There's a reason he can't find a club in the UK. Personally, I would love to see him at the Wanderers, but he would take the rest of the season to get up to match fitness. Would any coach really want him on those terms?