Football: Phoenix put high price tag on Burns

Nathan Burns of the Wellington Phoenix. Photo / Sarah Ivey.

The problem with Nathan Burns playing so productively for the Wellington Phoenix meant he was always at risk of winding up on the shopping lists of other clubs.

Given the reported desires of Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua to sign the striker on a A$2.5 million-per-season contract, the Phoenix have now put a A$2 million price tag on Burns.

SBS's The World Game website has reported the Phoenix's lofty demands for their prized asset could serve as a road block in the deal, as Burns appears keen to cash in and make the move.

Burns is contracted until the end of the 2015-2016 A-League campaign but can reportedly get out of his deal at the end of this season for a fee.

Australian agent Ante Alilovic is in the middle of the negotiations and told The World Game that Australian players were in demand in China because of their work ethic.

"Shanghai has tabled a very substantial offer to Nathan Burns and the indications are he is happy to accept it," Alilovic told the website.

"But the situation is that Shanghai are not willing to match Wellington's asking price, which for a player soon to be out of contract they believe to be somewhat unrealistic. The figure will need to be in a far lower price than that."

Burns, who is playing for Australia in the ongoing Asian Cup, has been a revelation for the Phoenix this season after arriving in Wellington in need of a change.

The 26-year-old has scored a league-leading 10 goals in 12 games as part of Ernie Merrick's high-octane attack where Burns has linked well with fellow new recruit Michael McGlinchey.

Burns told the Herald last month he owed a lot to Merrick who helped spark his career revival that lead to his recall to the Socceroos.

"He's a good coach and we are playing a good style of football, which helps a lot," Burns said. "It gives you that freedom to play an attacking brand of football that I want to play so it definitely helps with the way Ernie's coaching at the moment. And he's still pushing me and doesn't give me any days off."

The Phoenix, who are in second place on the A-League ladder, will return to action on February 2 when they meet the Brisbane Roar across the Tasman.