"My ambition has always been to head overseas," Milligan told Sydney's Daily Telegraph.

"I'm off contract at Sydney at the end of the season and the club has indicated it wants to talk to me about a new deal, but I'm not sure what's going to happen. I'm keeping my options open at this stage.

"I've got my agent checking things out overseas, and if nothing comes up in the meantime and we make it to Beijing, then playing at the Olympics would be a great opportunity for myself and any of the Olyroos to audition for an overseas deal."

Sydney chief executive George Perry has admitted the club could struggle to keep Milligan but was hoping the lure of a place in the Socceroos' World Cup qualifying team may persuade Millsy to stay.

"I'm sure a lot of players from the A-League will be used in the qualifying matches for the 2010 World Cup," Perry told the Telegraph.

"And, hopefully, there will be preparations for an Olympic campaign to consider as well, and further matches for the Olyroos leading up to that.

"We know Mark is keen to explore opportunities overseas but that won't stop us from pursuing him. We're more than interested in talking to him.

"But we'll be patient about things. We're not going to put a deadline on him or anything like that - we'll see how things develop down the track."

Sydney could be facing a player clear-out at the end of the season with several players coming off contract including Ruben Zadkovich and David Zdrilic.

Perry added: "We're talking to the coaching staff and we'll be starting negotiations with some of the players shortly.

"Some of the players who are coming off contract at Sydney are playing for their futures, so we'll see how they go."