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Kewell ponders Spain move

26 November 2009 | 16:09 - SBS EXCLUSIVE

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Free-scoring Harry Kewell is weighing up whether to remain in Turkey or switch to Spain or Italy for the final two years of his European adventure, as speculation heats up over his football future.


 

Reborn at Galatasaray over the past 18 months, the 31-year-old Socceroos star will become a free agent in January as his two-year deal at Gala winds down.

And he is in no immediate hurry to secure an extension, despite coach Frank Rijkaard being keen to re-sign one of his most valuable assets.

Interest in Kewell has sky-rocketed with the attacking midfielder enjoying a renaissance at a club for whom he has struck 24 goals in 57 appearances, 11 of those coming in 21 games so far this season in all competitions.

The most recent Kewell collectable came in the first half of the weekend’s 1-1 draw with Manisaspor in the Turkish Super Lig, the 45-times-capped Aussie delivering with aplomb after exchanging passes with Shabani Nonda in the 38th minute.

That latest strike preceded frenzied speculation in the Turkish media over an apparent bid for Kewell from Gala’s deadly rivals Fenerbahce.

Speculation reached such a fever pitch that both Gala and Fenerbahce issued separate statements denying that a January switch was imminent.

Galatasaray Director of Football Haldun Ustunel insisted that Kewell isn’t going anywhere right now amid suggestions that club would offer him an upgraded deal to remain in Turkey, with the added carrot of the captaincy also likely to be on the table.

Kewell is unwilling to comment on the talk over his future, but it is understood he could not countenance a move to Fenerbahce out of respect for the Gala fans, whose disdain for their rivals runs deep.

It’s more likely he would head to Serie A to fulfil a long-held ambition, or La Liga where the likes of Sevilla or Real Zaragoza have in the past expressed interest.

The World Game can also reveal that Kewell, while not totally ruling out an A-League exclamation mark to his 19-year career, is eyeing off the MLS as a final destination, after his next contract.

According to insiders, Kewell has all but ruled out a return to England where he made his name with Leeds and then Liverpool because the Premier League holds no mystery for him.

That is despite growing interest in bringing him back to the country where his wife and children reside.

With the myriad injuries which diluted his effectiveness at Anfield now firmly behind him, Kewell has played 74 games, including Socceroos call-ups, since May last year in one of the best unbroken runs of his career.

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