Viduka is available on a free transfer after his contract with Newcastle United expired this summer.
Merrick said: “I would really like to set the record straight on Mark Viduka.
“Firstly, Mark has never said that he will play football in Australia and we have not said anything other than the same as any other A-League team would say – that he would be a great player to have in our team.
“Having said that, the opportunity to have Mark Viduka in our side is extremely remote given that we have a salary cap and given that we have a marquee player.
“Archie Thompson is committed to 2011. He is playing some of his best football. He has scored three goals in the last four games, so we are pretty happy where we are at.
“The rest is all media speculation. We don’t comment on transfers and contracts. We are happy with the side we have got and Archie has been tremendous for us and will continue to be.”
