SYDNEY FC won't be throwing money around like confetti to capture the prized signature of uncontracted Socceroos striker Harry Kewell.

Vice-chairman Scott Barlow yesterday shot down reports that the one-time glamour boy would be heading to Sydney if he decided to finish his playing career in the A-League.



Kewell, whose contract with Turkish club Galatasaray has finished, has been linked with Melbourne Heart, Melbourne Victory, Newcastle Jets and Sydney FC.



Newly promoted English Premier League club Queens Park Rangers and the Middle East are also interested, according to his management.



It was reported over the weekend that the Sky Blues were favourites to snare him, but Barlow denied Sydney were in "active negotiations with him".



"We've been speaking to Harry's management on and off for the past couple of years but not at the moment," Barlow said.



"We are always interested in a top-quality Australian coming back, and speaking to him."



Kewell's management is upset at reports he is demanding $2.5 million a season, bonuses, a percentage of gate takings and even a TV role for his actress wife Sheree Murphy if he comes home.



Kewell's manager Bernie Mandic has been quoted as saying the reports are grossly exaggerated and that some clubs that were rejected did not tell the truth to the media about proposed deals.



Mandic said if Kewell played in Australia, the contract would be purely incentive-based.



Barlow said Kewell would be a large investment even at this stage of his career, but he did not doubt his ability to attract fans.



Sydney desperately need a star attraction, someone like Dwight Yorke, who put bums on seats in the first year of the A-League.



"I've always had a lot of respect for Harry Kewell and what he has done on the field," Barlow said.



"If we do talk we'd have to be pretty comfortable with the financial make-up of the deal and there would be a need to make sure it is right for the club."



Kewell did not play for the Socceroos against New Zealand and Serbia but remains in the plans of national coach Holger Osieck for the next World Cup.



Osieck said having Kewell in the A-League would help develop younger players.





Originally published as Sydney FC not so wild about Harry