Reports in the football-obsessed Turkish media claim Harry Kewell will bring his Australia captain to the Istanbul-based club to bolster the side's defence.

Neill was on holiday in Fiji this weekend but had been expected to return to Australia on Monday. His contract with West Ham expires today and negotiations for it to be extended are understood to have broken down.

The 31-year old defender had hoped to stay at the London East End club after moving there two years ago from Blackburn Rovers on a lucrative deal but the global financial crisis has hit the Hammers hard.

Neill was tipped for a move to Galatasaray earlier this month - and also a year ago - but he has also been recently linked with moves to other clubs including Manchester City, as well as a possible renegotiation of his deal with West Ham.

However the Turkish press - which first broke the news of Kewell's move and his chronic medical condition -  today claimed the move to Gala was back on the cards again.

The deal is being tipped as part of a double EPL swoop by the Turkish club who are also said to want to sign Newcastle United's out of contract striker Michael Owen.

Under the headline "Kewell Will Bring Neill", Sabah claims the deal is close to completion after almost two years of talks.

However Galatasaray's official website so far has no mention of Neill signing.