Phil Gould explains why he met with Perth Bears amid Matt Burton speculation

Phil Gould has explained why he met with Perth's recruitment staff amid rumours around Matt Burton's future.

Burton has been consistently linked to the new NRL franchise with many making that connection due to Lachlan Galvin and Mitch Woods being mooted as the future Bulldogs halves.

Gould, the Bulldogs general manager, has quashed speculation around Burton on multiple occasions since last year with the five-eighth contracted until the end of 2027.

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The Dogs boss once again addressed the Dubbo product's future after meeting with the Bears during the off-season.

"The recruitment people from the Bears came across to discuss everyone's roster," he told 9news in Las Vegas.

"They didn't talk just to us, they spoke to every club just about who's off contract, who's not on contract, who clubs might be looking to move on, because they've got a big job to do to build their club.

"Matt Burton was one of 20 players that were named at that time, we know where they are, they know where we are on these players and it's really a non-event, it's a non-story."

Gould added that he "certainly hopes" Burton will be at the Bulldogs for the length of his contract.

Asked by Nine's Danny Weidler if that extended to beyond, Gould replied "he's a Bulldog".

Currently the Bears have Toby Sexton and Tyran Wishart as halves options and have yet to land a marquee name.