Harry Kewell’s manager Bernie Mandic has denied the Socceroos star has signed on with Melbourne Victory and threw up reigning Hyundai A-League premiers the Brisbane Roar as another potential destination.
Media speculation in recent weeks has suggested that Kewell, who is currently without a club after not being offered a new deal by Turkish club Galatasaray, is set to join the two-time A-League champions.
It heightened further on Tuesday with claims that he will be unveiled by the Victory when they host Scottish giants Celtic at AAMI Park on July 13.
But speaking on Melbourne radio station SEN on Wednesday morning, Mandic poured cold water on talk that Kewell has already committed to Victory and claimed none of the Australian clubs have put forward an offer.
“We all have our Christmas wish list and I think a few people have got Harry on that,” Mandic said.
“You’ve always got an ideal scenario that you work for as a club, but we, as his management company, have an ideal scenario that we work for the player and at the moment we haven’t signed anything with anybody.”
Having played in some of Europe for more than a decade, including in the English Premier League with Leeds and Liverpool, Kewell has put forward a proposal in which he would not be paid a base wage but rather receive a percentage of any new revenue generated by his arrival.
“Some clubs have called us, others haven’t bothered,” Mandic added.
“The clubs that have called have been impressed with the integrity that Harry has shown in all of this.”
“I don’t think anybody expected it and people were almost sheepish in their approach saying ‘is it true?’.”
“Well yes, it’s true, he’s prepared to come back on the basis that there is no financial guarantees.”
“If the club doesn’t do any better than it’s doing now then Harry gets nothing.”
“There is no base payment. Nothing at all. There is no set figure. It’s an infinite piece of string.”
Mandic was also quick to put forward the Roar as potential suitors.
“If the best stadium deal is in Brisbane, then why wouldn’t he go to Brisbane?” he said.
“Stadium deals make or break this deal.”
“What would be wrong with Suncorp (Stadium)?”
“They’ve got a sensational team, a team that plays probably the best brand of football in the country, they’ve got a great coach (Ange Postecoglou) who’s earned his stripes in Europe.”
“They’ve got a stadium which is waiting to be filled.”
