Kewell 'just what the A-League needs'

Arguably Australia's biggest football export to date, Harry Kewell, could be on the verge of returning home to play in the A-League

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Socceroos coach Holger Osieck says luring Harry Kewell back to Australia to join Melbourne Victory could be "extraordinary" and just what the A-League needs.

Kewell, 32, is reportedly considering a multi-million-dollar offer to join the Victory next season after the recent expiry of his contract with Turkish club Galatasaray.

The former Liverpool and Leeds midfielder met Victory officials in Melbourne this week, but his manager Bernie Mandic insisted the club was one in a "long list" in the hunt for his services.

While signing Kewell would still appear at long odds, securing the services of Australia's most famous soccer export would represent the biggest signing coup in six years of the A-League.

And Osieck threw his support behind the move after Australia's 3-0 win over New Zealand on Sunday.

"If that really happens then you can say it's going to be a big boost for the A-League," Osieck said.

"We talk about the standing and the quality, but if a player of his calibre would come back to Australia, for the A-League it would be extraordinary.

"I would definitely work on the move.

"I don't know how realistic it is, but if it really happens I think that is what the A-League needs, big names and in the shade of the big names the young players can develop.

"I think it's a perfect combination."

According to reports on Sunday, Victory club chairman Anthony Di Pietro met Kewell in Melbourne last Monday to express interest in signing him, but said talks were not yet advanced.


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Source: AAP


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