Bridges and Kewell, both 32, have been close pals since their early days together playing for Leeds United at the turn of the century when the pair combined to form a formidable partnership in the EPL and Europe.

The friendship has continued long after Kewell left for Liverpool and Bridges' stellar career became blighted by injury.

They remained in regular contact, and when the chance of a move to Sydney FC on loan came up  in 2007, it was Kewell who encouraged Bridges to move Down Under and take the post.

And soon after Bridges joined Newcastle Jets in 2009, he started work on luring Kewell back to Australia to join the Hunter side.

Last year Bridges admitted to au.fourfourtwo.com: "When Harry was sorting his contract out over there [at Galatasaray in Turkey last season], I said 'just come to the Jets mate, come and join us'.

"Obviously he's sorted out there now - but you never know, future plans and all that?"

Since then, Bridges was forced to hang up his boots for good last April after his chronic knee injury finally made it impossible for him to carry on.

But rather than just dump Bridges, Newcastle Jets took the almost-unprecedented step of offering him a top job, unique for someone who had played for so short a time at a club.

The post of International Football & Business Development Manager - with the remit of bringing  "international stars" to the club - surprised many and raised the ire of former Jets skipper Ljubo Milicevic who blasted the move.

However it now appears part of a calculated long-term plan for Bridges to target one player in particular - and bring his close pal Kewell to the Jets.

Kewell even called Bridges on the eve of his retirement from playing in April to try to persuade him to change his mind

Now though it looks like it will Bridges who will be key in trying to persuade Kewell to come to Newcastle.

With new mining tycoon owner Nathan Tinkler at the helm, the club has the financial clout to match any club in the A-League and would be expected to meet Kewell's demands (relative to what other HAL clubs may offer).

Its proximity to Sydney will also be a bonus for Smithfield-born Kewell and his family, set to be reunited after three years apart while Kewell played in Turkey and his family remained in the UK.

But the added bonus of working with his old mate and sidekick Bridges could be the key to clinching the deal.

Until this weekend, it had seemed any move to the A-League would be at least another season away, with Kewell's personal manager Bernie Mandic insistent only recently that he was not set for a return any time soon.

But the frenzied speculation this weekend has seen clubs clamouring to be linked with him.

Sydney FC joined the queue yesterday and the Jets admitted their interest, while Melbourne Victory sparked the bidding war when they confirmed they had been in touch about a possible bid for the star while he was in Victoria to shoot a fashion ad campaign last week.

Melbourne Heart have now revealed they were in talks with Kewell last season, but the suggested $2.5 million a season contract plus extras, including a share of membership fees, proved too rich for them.

However the FFA are now said to be so keen to see Kewell's star quality in the A-League next season, they are reportedly willing to pay some of his salary package.

One club that have ruled themselves out of the running however is Perth Glory.

They admit there is no way they can fit the legend into the side this season, with Mile Sterjovski still their Australian marquee and Shane Smeltz filling the international marquee role.

However the West Australian side said they would be very keen to look at signing Kewell next season if he is available, after Sterjovski's marquee deal ends and he moves back under the salary cap.

The speculation has ensured Kewell is still managing to make the front page even though he's not even in the current squad for the Socceroo friendlies this week with Serbia or New Zealand.

Kewell didn't even remain in the country to watch his Australia team-mates play, opting to return to the UK late last week.

He is expected to go on holiday to Portugal in the next few days where he will consider the offers on the table over the coming weeks.

He has also been linked with a move to America's MLS and was last season tipped with a possible move to the Primera Liga when his Galatasaray contract ended.