Rugby league clubs and fans are furious with the NRL, who are still yet to finalise the collective bargaining agreement and the salary cap for the 2023 season.
Their inability to settle on a figure has left a number of prospective deals hanging in the balance.
While the NRL continue to take their time with the matter a number of off-season deals could still happen.
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DAVID FIFITA — CANBERRA RAIDERS
A few days ago it was reported that the Titans enforcer was given a tour of the Raiders facilities alongside his partner and Dragons NRLW star Shaylee Bent.
Fifita has one year left on his monster contract with the Gold Coast Titans and a swap to Canberra could see the 22-year-old take a pay cut.
However the selling factor for Fifita is that the Raiders are also interested in securing the services of his girlfriend for the club’s inaugural season in the NRLW.
Following his trip to the nation’s capital, Canberra reportedly offered him a three-year-deal worth $2.7 million a season.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart understands Fifita’s ambition to play Origin again and if Fifita joins the likes of Josh Papali’i, Joe Tapine, Hudson Young and Elliot Whitehead it could definitely happen.
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STEPHEN CRICHTON — CANTERBURY BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Penrith’s own two-time premiership winning centre Stephen Crichton has been rumoured to be heading to the Bulldogs for months.
If Crichton were to head to Belmore he would join former teammates Viliame Kikau and Matt Burton and be coached by new boss and former Panthers assistant Cameron Ciraldo.
While Crichton’s preferred position is in the number one jersey the Panthers currently have that spot covered by the 2022 Clive Churchill medalist Dylan Edwards.
However similar to a number of situations Panthers CEO Matt Cameron revealed that until the latest salary cap figure is confirmed talks to retain the 22-year-old have been paused.
NELSON ASOFA-SOLOMONA — CANTERBURY BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
The Storm enforcer is another competition standout on Canterbury’s radar after it was recently reported that he was linked with a potential swap to the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs currently host the likes of Reed Mahoney, Viliame Kikau and Tevita Pagai Jr in the forwards, Asofa-Solomona’s presence would simply add depth to that pack.
When word of interest from the Bulldogs was revealed on Monday, the Storm were reportedly unaware of the situation.
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MARTIN TAUPAU AND JOSH MANSOUR — SUPER LEAGUE
Following the completion of the 2022 NRL season and recent Rugby League World Cup both Josh Mansour and Martin Taupau have fallen victim to the delayed CBA decision.
Both Mansour and Taupau are currently off-contract and do not have a club to go to, however the Lebanese winger has revealed an interest in heading to the UK.
The former Souths winger opened up on the fact that he’d be more than open to taking on a new challenge overseas.
“I love a challenge and a change and the Super League has caught my attention,” Mansour told The Examiner.
“My management has had a word to gauge my interest to the switch, playing Super League and bringing my family.
“I went back and said I’d definitely be open to it and would listen to any offers wholeheartedly.”
NATHAN BROWN — WESTS TIGERS
Following rumours of a falling out with Eels coach Brad Arthur and revealing an interest in a return to the Tigers it wouldn’t shock NRL fans that Nathan Brown could be heading back to Leichhardt.
With a year left on his contract at the Eels, Brown was told his services would be no longer required and his manager was given permission by Parramatta to negotiate with other clubs.
So far the Wests Tigers, the club Brown played his first NRL game for are the only club that has the 29-year-old on their radar and the Italian captain would be more than happy to go.
“Go back to the Tigers? Yeah, I would be (interested),” Brown toldThe Daily Telegraph.
“See what happens. They have a couple of good signings with Sheens there, Benji and Farah. I think they are going to be on the up.”
