Sydney FC CEO Dirk Melton told au.fourfourtwo.com that the Sky Blues aren't out of the running to sign the former Galatasaray star and had recent contact with Kewell's management.

“We are continuing to pursue him,” said Melton, who described Kewell as a “living legend”.

“It goes without saying what he’d bring to Sydney FC but also to Australian sport. His signing, if it did happen, would transcend football.”

Melbourne Victory have also been keen to bring Kewell home but the club have yet to respond to au.fourfourtwo.com’s inquiry today on whether their stance has changed.

Kewell himself is keen to continue as a Socceroo telling the Melbourne Weekly recently: “The music is still playing very loud in me and that’s how I want to continue.

"Until that completely goes away, no, I won’t give up football. I enjoy it that much.”

Kewell, whose wife Sheree is expecting a fourth child, has recently been linked with a move back to England where he enjoyed long spells with Leeds and Liverpool.

He's also been linked with Dubai side Al Ahli and Dalian Shide in China, although Kewell is believed to be keen to keep his family with him at his next club after three years of living apart while playing in Turkey.

Meanwhile Melton, who was recently recruited by the Sky Blues from the NRL  to in his words “drive change” at the club, said his task was a challenge but one he was relishing.

“There’s a lot of work to be done,” he said. “But we have the foundations for growth.”