The alleged call was said to be informal and open-ended, with Pesce suggesting Cahill was eager to help establish a team in a region that boasts the most number of registered players in the country, perhaps allowing him to apply his other passion of grassroots football involvement.

Sutherland Shire mayor Carmelo Pesce told Fairfax Media he had been in contact with representatives of Cahill in recent months with a view to the former Everton player to become involved with any potential bid.

As quick as he was to praise the artists who immortalised him in wax, the 36-year-old was even faster to cool talk of his involvement with a bid for a third A-League team in Sydney.

Other well-placed sources suggest the player remains interested in being involved in a potential new A-League licence but when asked about that, Cahill was quick to dismiss suggestions of a leading role in any such bid.

Expansion won't likely occur for up to four years in the A-League while an A-League team to be based in Sutherland Shire remains on standby pending the licence extension of Wellington Phoenix. It remains to be seen whether a team will enter as early as next season but as an entity, it's one Cahill supports at least in principle.

"I hope they do well, I don't know nothing about it. Good luck to them," Cahill said. "I don't know anything about [being involved in a bid], I wish whoever's doing it the best of luck. For me, I'm [playing] in Shanghai and I don't know nothing about it."

More immediately for Cahill though is his ambition to become the first player to score 50 goals for Australia, something he believes Ange Postecoglou holds the keys to. The striker is enjoying his best form in front of goal for his country under the guidance of Postecoglou having scored 17 of his 45 international goals since the coach took charge of the national team in October 2013.

"I think the best thing about playing for Ange and with the team is that if you're in the right areas, you'll score goals. As my career has gone on with the Socceroos I think I've been more clinical." He said. "I'm just excited because who knows what can happen?"