The Parramatta Eels have been tipped as a club who could make a serious play at Matt Burton when the versatile star becomes a free agent on November 1.

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There’s been plenty of speculation around Burton’s future this season and whether the Bulldogs look to move him on before his current contract expires at the end of 2027.

He has been moved from five-eighth into the centres in recent weeks, indicating he isn’t considered the club’s long-term six.

With Bronson Xerri set to leave the Dogs for Melbourne next season, Burton’s role going forward at the Bulldogs comes into focus.

However, The Daily Telegraph’s Brent Read doesn’t think that Xerri’s impending exit means Burton will stay put.

“I don’t think it necessarily does because they’ve signed Jesse McLean and there’s huge raps on him. I don’t think there’s any guarantees that Burton stays in the centres.

“It depends what he’s willing to take. It’ll come down to money. Everyone is saying he’s happy in the centres but centres don’t get paid as much as halves.”

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There will be clubs around the league who see Burton as a five-eighth, meaning he’ll all but certainly command more money from rival teams than the Bulldogs will be able to offer.

One of those teams could be Parramatta, who are looking for a five-eighth to partner Mitch Moses.

Read believes Burton and the Eels would be a perfect fit.

“I think he’ll be the ideal partner for Mitch Moses. You look at when Dylan Brown was there, that combination worked and I think Matt Burton is the running six that will work well alongside Moses,” Read said.

NRL360 host Braith Anasta agreed, noting that Burton will be suited playing alongside a natural No. 7 like Moses.

“Moses wants to run the team. That’s his style. Burton is quiet, he has a simple game plan running the ball and he’s a great kicker. You’d think that would be a really good combination,” Anasta said.

“If I’m the Eels, I’m going for Burton if he wants to play six and not willing to stay at the Bulldogs in the centres.

“He’s playing at the Dogs with someone who isn’t a seven. If he had a dominant seven inside of him, he wouldn’t have to worry about game plans and leading a team around as much. He can just focus on his running and kicking game.

“If you can get a Matt Burton who is running and his long kicks and bombs, then that’s what Parramatta can do well with.”

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So what sort of coin could Burton earn if he links up with the Eels?

Mitch Moses is one of the highest paid playmakers in the game at around $1.3 million. Could Burton fetch seven figures too?

Read says that even with Moses’ price tag on the books, the Eels should offer Burton at least $1 million.

“I think you go big for him. These are your halves,” he said.

“Look at their spine, three of their four spine positions are in place. Isaiah Iongi isn’t ong monster money, Tallyn Da Silva and Mitch Moses. Two of those they don’t have on monster money so you can throw big money (at a five-eighth).

“If I’m the Eels, it’s the logical move for them.

“The reality is anything over $1 million, you’re probably going to get him because the Dogs won’t be offering Burton that for a centre. If the Dogs are offering him $800,000, if you go $1.1 million, you can get him at that,” Anasta added.