Socceroo star Harry Kewell is to sue English football great Gary Lineker and Britain's Sunday Telegraph for libel over an article about the player's controversial move to Liverpool.

In an article published in June 2003, former England captain Lineker attacked the move under the headline "Kewell move made me feel ashamed of the game".

Leeds United received a less-than-hoped-for transfer fee because STG2 million ($A4.8 million) of Liverpool's fee was paid directly to Kewell's agent Bernie Mandic.

A report in The Times said Lineker was named as the first defendant, the Sunday Telegraph's sports editor second, and the newspaper third.

It said Kewell was sueing for damages, alleging it suggested he participated in a dishonourable and financially dubious transfer, and that it portrayed him as naive and stupid, cunning and disloyal.

The Times said the Telegraph was likely to argue fair comment and would contest the claim.

The case is expected to take at least seven days but a start date could not be confirmed.

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