Phoenix Transfer - speculation

""BRISBANE Roar remain in the hunt to re-sign Robbie Kruse after the former boy wonder rejected a lucrative offer from Wellington Phoenix.

The Phoenix were willing to make Kruse their under-23 marquee player in a deal that would have pocketed the attacking weapon close to $150,000 for a season's work.

Kruse had until tomorrow to make his decision, but by yesterday he had made up his mind that plying his trade in New Zealand was not the best move for his career.

Player agent John Grimaud praised his client for making a "mature" decision that was best for his football rather than be lured across the Tasman by big dollars.

"I'm not shocked at all," Grimaud said. "I think Robbie made the right move. He could have just made a rash decision and gone over there."

Grimaud accepted that Kruse could not expect to command a similar wage at any other A-League club, but said money was not the priority.

The Roar have limited dollars left to offer Kruse under their salary cap, but in Brisbane's favour is his good relationship with coach Frank Farina.

It's understood at least four other A-League clubs, including Central Coast Mariners, Adelaide United and North Queensland Fury, are also interested in Kruse's services.

The former Australian under-17 international last night said he was in no real hurry to finalise his future, with his Roar contract not expiring until the end of next month.

Kruse was certain he had made the right call in knocking back the Phoenix.

"I had to be 100 per cent committed to going and I wasn't," he said.

Kruse praised Farina for sound advice the former Socceroos coach passed on about his next step in football.

"Whatever decision I make, I know the gaffer (Farina) will support it," he said.

Kruse, 20, was adamant that he wanted one more season in the A-League before trying his luck overseas.""