Soccer: Huysegems hoping Phoenix will look to longer signing

Stein Huysegems. Photo / Getty Images

Wellington Phoenix striker Stein Huysegems wants to stay in the capital and he wants to be there for another two years.

The problem is that the Phoenix have only tabled a one-season deal to the Belgian, which has become a major sticking point as they look to negotiate a new contract for the 31-year-old.

Huysegems has scored 10 goals in 22 games this season and has been one of Wellington's best under new coach Ernie Merrick.

But the import quota for the A-League will drop from five to four for the 2015-2016 season so it wouldn't be prudent of the Phoenix to sign players on a foreign visa too far in advance for that summer.

Australian soccer website The World Game quoted Huysegems' Melbourne-based agent Dragan Jetvic during the week as saying the Phoenix's offer of a one-year extension wasn't up to the striker's expectations money-wise.

But Huysegems said that wasn't the case and insisted his next contract was more about long-term security than money.

"The club's given me one year and for sure I want two years because I'm almost 32 and I'm feeling physically good.

"I did all the trainings this year, I played every game so it's not like I have had a lot of injuries so for me, for my future, I want two years."

Huysegems was disappointed his agent had spoken to the media about the ongoing negotiations and said the report took him by surprise.

"I woke up and somebody sent me the interview and I saw it so it was not the smartest thing to do.

"I think with negotiating between club and players you have to keep it quiet and see if you can come out of it or not."

The former Belgian international said he hadn't discussed terms with any other A-League clubs and wanted a new contract sorted in the next few weeks.

"I've had a good time here. I know the players very well, I have a good feeling here and I've had a good season here this year. We play a different style of football but that's helping me more this year so my preference is to stay in Wellington."

Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick said the situation was a frustrating distraction ahead of his side's game against the Melbourne Heart across the Tasman tomorrow.

"We have to think twice about dealing with any agent who discusses publicly, in the media, confidential discussions and that was out of order and I won't discuss offers or anything. All you need to be aware of is we are trying to sign Stein and that's ongoing."

Huysegems shapes as a central figure for Wellington in the coming weeks given attacking midfielder Carlos Hernandez is out with a calf tear, which means Huysegems will drop into a role playing behind the strikers.

The Phoenix are three points away from the top six and need to produce a few victories in the final five games to make a push for the playoffs.