Striker Martin Paterson - believed to be a summer target for Norwich City - has warned Scunthorpe United he will be a “very unhappy player” if he is denied a move to the Championship.

Striker Martin Paterson - believed to be a summer target for Norwich City - has warned Scunthorpe United he will be a “very unhappy player” if he is denied a move to the Championship.

The 21-year-old Northern Ireland international had a written transfer request turned down last week but has accused relegated United of going back on their word.

Burnley have had a £550,000 offer for Paterson rejected, while the Canaries are reported to be among the chasing pack after first making inquiries about the player in the January transfer window.

Paterson, who scored 14 times for the Iron after his move from Stoke, insists he is not happy at the prospect of League One football.

“I've obviously made it very clear I want to leave the club by handing in a transfer request,” he said.

“The reason that I did that is because when I signed, the club said if I did well they wouldn't stand in my way of bettering myself or staying in the Championship.

“I'm coming to the end of a year where I think I've done OK. I've not ripped up trees, but I think I've done well and that Scunthorpe have gone back on their word.

“I understand football and that the fans won't like my point of view and I can only apologise if people think I have disrespected the club.

“I hope they look at it from the point of view that I'm a young lad and very ambitious and I want to use the momentum I've had this year.”

Scunthorpe have so far paid Stoke £335,000 for Paterson and the Potters are entitled to 20 per cent of any profit United would make if the striker was sold.

“I understand that football clubs want to earn a lot of money for players, or at least earn what they deserve,” said Paterson.

“I have no qualms in Scunthorpe holding out for what they want as long as it profits Scunthorpe and means I get to play at a higher level.

“I don't mind them rejecting bids to get what they want. But I harp on about, when I signed, the fact that they said they wouldn't stand in my way.

“And all I can do is stress the fact that if I stayed at the club I would be a player that was very unhappy.

“I don't know if I'd be in the right frame of mind to play next season, knowing that I could have gone to the Championship.

“With Burnley's interest, there is an opportunity for me to stay in the Championship. I want to stay in the Championship.”