IF HARRY Kewell is going to wear the navy blue of Melbourne Victory in the A-League this season, he has to make up his mind by close of business this afternoon - or else the former champions will abandon any hope of doing a deal with the Socceroo veteran.

Victory officials have given Kewell's manager, Bernie Mandic, an ultimatum: sign by August 4 or we will tear up our offer, turn to other transfer targets and get on with planning for the new season without you.

Harry Kewell has been told to sign or forget Victory's offer. Credit:Getty Images

Mandic and the former Leeds and Liverpool star have been engaged in a two-month game of brinksmanship with the local competition's best-supported club since it emerged that Kewell was considering finishing his career in his native country after he was dumped at the end of last season by his Turkish club, Galatasaray.

Victory put together a deal that could reward the injury-prone winger handsomely. It all depends on the number of extra fans who buy memberships and come to games and the FFA being persuaded to cough up $500,000 to use Kewell as a poster boy for the A-League. All parties are looking to sweeten the pill for the 33-year-old.