No Kanu for Phoenix

Reports linking Nwankwo Kanu with a move to Wellington Phoenix are way off the mark according to the club’s coach Ricki Herbert.

Kanu, 35, is apparently interested in securing a 10-game guest stint in the A-League in an attempt to land a lucrative contract in Asia.

The former Arsenal, Ajax and Inter Milan striker is contracted to Portsmouth in England’s championship but has struggled to get regular game time.

In 2008 he was linked with a move to Gold Coast and Sydney FC were interested in signing him a few months ago before balking at the asking price.

Herbert said there had been no contact with the former Nigerian captain’s representatives and added he had no real interest in signing the striker.

“I think there was a general circulation around all the A-League clubs at the start of the year and I think we’ve just been part of that correspondence,” Herbert said.

“I don’t think (we’re interested) at this stage. The January window is the one (we’re looking at). If we do recruit at the club ideally for me it would be someone who would come for a longer period of time. Maybe a longer-term signing for a couple of years.”

The Phoenix have several players coming out of contract at the end of the season and Herbert has made it clear re-signing key players such as Manny Muscat, captain Andrew Durante and Vince Lia remain the priority now Paul Ifill has been secured for another two years.

Durante has already opened negotiations with the Wellington club and appears close to re-signing, while Herbert is also keen to keep striker/assistant coach Chris Greenacre in the New Zealand capital as well.