Football: Burns 'open to China move' but main focus now is on cup semifinal

Nathan Burns. Photo / Getty Images

Socceroo Nathan Burns has confirmed interest from Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua is genuine and a move away from the A-League could be on the cards.

The season's leading scorer could as much as quadruple his earnings if Wellington Phoenix accept a transfer bid from the Chinese outfit, which was last week scuppered in its attempts to sign fellow Socceroos striker Tomi Juric.

While Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick has rubbished suggestions that the club has placed a multi-million dollar price tag on the 26-year-old - who is off-contract in June - the agent overseeing negotiations between the two clubs, Ante Alilovic, says Wellington has dropped its asking price to $1.5 million.

Speaking after Australia's 2-0 quarter-final win over China, Burns admitted he was "open" to a move but said his sole immediate focus was on the Asian Cup ahead of Tuesday's semifinal.

"There's a bit of interest but it's a long way off anything," Burns said. "I'm always open to new challenges but what's meant to be is meant to be.

"I don't really look too far into it because football can change overnight, so I'll just sit back and see what happens.

"My main focus is football and if you're playing well, there's always going to be interest. That's the best part, I think."

Burns has seen game time in all bar one of Australia's Asian Cup fixtures and gone close to scoring several times. He felt ready to make an impact in the semifinal in Newcastle if called on.

"Obviously I'm very confident," he said. "I just need that last bit of luck but I'm feeling good physically.

"That's the key. When you're physically good, you're more confident."

- AAP