Panthers gun Stephen Crichton is reportedly “desperate” to stay on the foot of the Blue Mountains regardless of a big-money supply from the Bulldogs.
Mitchell Moses is in the midst of a three-club race for his signature, whereas the Roosters’ wage cap squeeze may see a younger gun exit.
Read under for the most recent Transfer Whispers!
Watch each sport LIVE & ad-break free throughout play is on FOX LEAGUE with Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Cobbo on Kevvie: He’s not a superb coach | 01:01
CRICHTON’S ‘DESPERATE’ PLEA
The Panthers are reportedly but to desk a contract to gun centre Stephen Crichton who’s “desperate” to stay with the reigning premiers.
Penrith reportedly put contract negotiations on maintain till the wage cap was finalised however, in line with The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield, haven’t made the 22-year-old a proposal past 2023.
The Bulldogs and Dolphins have been reportedly considering signing Crichton to play fullback, which might see his wage boosted considerably.
However, Crichton is reportedly prepared to take a “significant pay cut” to re-sign with the Panthers.
“This is a story that I think could blow up in the next week or two, the development is that Stephen Crichton, grand final hero, is absolutely desperate to stay at the Penrith Panthers,” Rothfield stated on the Big Sports Breakfast.
“He grew up in the area alongside all his teammates there and he played for Samoa alongside his teammates, and he does not want to go anywhere.
“There has been media reports that he wants to play fullback, he is denying that and understands their current fullback has done such a wonderful job… that he understands his future at the club at this stage is as a centre.
“He is prepared to take a significant pay-cut to stay at the Panthers, the problem is the club has not made him any sort of offer to stay.
“Penrith can get out of this by saying look we only found out the day before Christmas what the salary cap is… so the ball is now in Penrith’s court.
“The Panthers were always concerned they would not be able to match the fullback money that clubs like the Bulldogs will be offering, and he has got his former coach there.”
Rothfield additionally praised the younger gun for staying loyal to the workforce he made his debut at in 2019 earlier than occurring to win two premierships.
“But he wants to stay at Penrith… I really like, in this day and age, I think another player in his position who was sitting back waiting for an offer and hadn’t received one would have jumped ship by now,” Rothfield stated.
“I really admire his loyalty to Penrith, but that can only last so long, he is a young player, only 22-years of age and he has to sort his future out, I think he is one of the most exciting players in the NRL.
“I think Matt Cameron, Ivan Cleary and everyone else at Penrith need to get off their backsides and talk to this kid and say this is your offer.
“Then he can sit down with his manager and financial advisor and work out what sort of financial hit he is willing to take.”
Stream Over 50 Sports Live & On-Demand with Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
WOOF! Dogs get Burton on massive deal | 00:29
MOSES’ MILLION-DOLLAR DILEMMA
Three golf equipment are reportedly within the race to signal Eels celebrity Mitchell Moses — and his former membership has tabled an enormous contract supply.
According to Rothfield, the Tigers have reportedly tabled a deal price upwards of $1.3 million-per-season in a bid to welcome the halfback again to Leichhardt.
The Bulldogs have additionally tabled a $1.2 million-dollar deal whereas the Eels supply sits simply above the million-dollar mark.
“The Wests Tigers have gone very heavy with an offer of over $1.3 million per-year, probably towards $1.4 million,” Rothfield stated on the Big Sports Breakfast.
“The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have gone in at $1.2 million and Parramatta have offered a little bit over $1 million per-year for their gun playmaker.”
Rothfield additionally revealed that Moses’ agent, Isaac Moses, is hoping the Eels have room to extend their supply and can sit down for a gathering within the coming days.
“I spoke to his manager Isaac Moses late last week, there’s all this talk that he’s on the verge of pulling the pin on Parramatta to accept one of these big money offers,” Rothfield stated.
“If he goes I think it will be to Canterbury, but Isaac Moses did say he was going to have a meeting with Parramatta this week… he is going to see if they can possibly increase their offer slightly.
“He started in Parramatta juniors before he went to the Tigers all those years ago, there’s still hope for Eels fans.”
Get all the most recent NRL news, highlights and evaluation delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
Titans newest savior lands on the Strip | 01:09
BATEMAN’S TIGERS DOUBTS
Tigers recruit John Bateman’s Super League coach has revealed simply how shut he was to remaining with Wigan for the 2023 season.
The 29-year-old English worldwide signed a four-year take care of the merger membership in late December, having final performed within the NRL with the Raiders in 2020.
Bateman was contemplating remaining with Wigan for yet another season earlier than as soon as once more making the transfer to Australia, however Wigan coach Matt Peet stated after a last assembly it was clear he was prepared for an NRL return.
“He was only clear (that he wanted to leave) right at the end,” Peet stated to Wigan Today.
“For a while he seemed to be caught in two minds, and it was only in my very last meeting with him that it was clear that his mind was made up. The club and Wests came to an agreement quickly.
“It would’ve been great if it had been dealt with quicker but with the World Cup it wasn’t meant to be.
“I was always aware that there was a chance it could go either way, and I got my head around that.”
Bateman joins Apisai Koroisau, David Klemmer and Isaiah Papali’i in making the transfer to Leichhardt to play beneath skilled coach Tim Sheens.
Dolphins start first day of coaching | 00:58
ROOSTERS’ SALARY CAP SQUEEZE
Roosters younger gun Joseph Suaalii reportedly hasn’t taken up his choice for the 2024 season as rival NRL golf equipment in addition to the Australian Rugby Union put together their bids.
The 19-year-old can subject provides from rivals till he takes up his participant choice, however Rothfield questioned how the rising star will match within the Tricolours’ wage cap.
With a proficient squad together with James Tedesco, Joey Manu, Angus Crichton, Luke Keary and Sam Walker — there might not be funds out there to compete with the million-dollar provides prone to be tabled for Suaalii’s companies.
“This young fellow is a sensational player… look everyone in rugby league talks about the Roosters salary cap don’t they,” Rothfield stated on the Big Sports Breakfast.
“I just don’t see where they are going to be in a position to pay him, despite the fact he is still a teenager, the eight, nine hundred-thousand, towards a million dollars, that other clubs would be prepared to pay for the brightest young star in rugby league.
“Having said that I know he loves the Roosters, he loves Trent Robinson, he’s really grateful for the fact the club has educated him so patiently to help him adjust to the rigours of day in, day out NRL football.
“The other question is the Wallabies, they have struggled a lot in recent times to have big-name players.
“The Roosters don’t want to put pressure on him but eventually he is going to have to make a decision… because he is off-contract at the end of this year and they need a call on him.”