The Rabbitohs are expected to this week announce two more massive re-signings in the wake of Damien Cook’s extension, while the Raiders are circling a superstar.
Storm prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona has been linked with a shock switch from Melbourne to the Bulldogs.
The Panthers are willing to fight the Bulldogs for the services of star centre Stephen Crichton, but have put talks on hold until the salary cap is finalised.
Read on for all the latest NRL Transfer Whispers.
RABBITOHS STAR DUO TO SIGN BEFORE XMAS
Souths have reportedly overcome the issue which stopped them announcing the re-signing of Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker last week.
Star trio Mitchell, Walker and Damien Cook were all set to be announced at the same time but only the latter put pen to paper.
Cook signed a two-year extension and this week Walker is expected to do the same and Mitchell will ink a three-year extension, according to Phil Rothfield.
“There’s some other interesting stuff happening at South Sydney,” Rothfield said on Big Sports Breakfast.
“I was told last week on the day they announced the Damien Cook signing that they had prepared to also announce Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker were signing.
“Now these two players as far as I understand are not talking to rival clubs like Mitchell Moses and I’m told their contracts are all but agreed in principal and in the next 48 hours, that little hiccup they had at the end (of last week) – and it’s more about waiting for the RLPA and the NRL, Andrew Abdo and Peter V’Landys to agree on the salary cap.
“That’s when they will sign and I’m really hopeful that will be before the end of the week.
“It will be massive news, two Indigenous superstars staying at the mighty Rabbitohs, Latrell for another three years and Cody for another two years.”
RAIDERS REPORTEDLY OFFER TITANS STAR A THREE-YEAR DEAL
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart believes that David Fifita can return to playing representative football if he leaves the Titans and joins his outfit in Canberra.
While the club’s interest in Fifita is no secret the Raiders are also looking to secure his partner Shaylee Bent as a marquee signing for their NRLW side.
The Canberra coach has also reportedly caught up with Fifita in person as the 22-year-old and his partner were given a tour of the Raiders centre of excellence.
The Tongan international would join a wealth of talent in the club’s forward pack which include the likes of Josh Papali’i, Joe Tapine, Hudson Young and Elliot Whitehead.
“I thought he was an impressive young man,” Stuart told The Canberra Times.
“He’s only 22 – people forget that. I think he’s got a lot to offer to the game and it’s time that he starts delivering that on the field – he even agreed.
“He wants to play Origin football again and he wants to be a successful NRL player. I know we’re a club that can help him with those challenges and goals.”
According to the publication the Raiders have tabled Fifita a three-year deal worth $2.7 million, which would be lower than his current deal worth $1 million a season.
“We’ve met with the manager, we’ve met with David. I’m happy with how that’s progressing,” Stuart said.
“I don’t want it to drag on for too long. We’ll just keep communicating with both his manager and David himself.
“He wouldn’t have gone out of his way and spent the day here if he wasn’t genuine about wanting to have a look around and see what we’re about.”
PANTHERS PUT CRICHTON TALKS ON HOLD AMID CAP CRISIS
The Panthers are will to fight the Bulldogs for the services of star centre Stephen Crichton, but have put talks on hold until the salary cap is finalised.
The Daily Telegraph reported the Panthers are waiting for the new collective bargaining agreement to be locked in, before they up their bid to retain Crichton.
Panthers CEO Matt Cameron told the Telegraph, Penrith have just 26 players signed for 2023 with the club unable to commit to more deals until the salary cap is confirmed.
“At the moment we only have 26 players for this coming year so we still have to sign another two players but I’m reluctant to do anything until I know what the salary cap is,” Cameron told The Daily Telegraph.
“We need some clarification to move ahead.”
Despite interest from the Bulldogs and the Dolphins, Cameron warned the Panthers will do everything in their power to keep Crichton at the Panthers long-term.
“With respect to Stephen, our goal is to do everything we can to keep our best kids here at Penrith,” Cameron said.
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“We want to keep every local junior who is progressing into the first grade squad at our club for as long as we can. That is what we are working towards.
“But it is getting harder. And not just with Stephen. Every player in our squad is getting better and deserves more money. Jarome (Luai), Dylan (Edwards) and Isaah (Yeo) come off contract after 2024. That’s just us as a club moving forward.”
Cameron also shut down reports Crichton could push for an early release to take up a more lucrative deal at the Bulldogs in 2023.
“No way. We have had no indication of that and we have been pretty strong in the past with situations like this,” Cameron said.
“We’d like to think players finish out the season at the club that they’re at.
“We haven’t shown an interest previously for letting players go early unless it suits the Penrith Panthers and in this case I don’t think it does.”
Crichton, 22, has scored 41 tries in 76 games for the Panthers since his debut in 2019 and has won two premierships, while he has also played three Origins for the Blues and six Tests for Samoa.
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Walker & Latrell close to new deals? | 02:09
STORM ENFORCER LINKED TO BULLDOGS SWITCH
Melbourne Storm prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona has recently been connected with a potential move to the Canterbury Bulldogs.
The New Zealand born forward has impressed onlookers with a shift to the edge towards the latter stages of the 2022 season.
While the 26-year-old was previously linked with a code-swap to rugby union due to his stance on vaccinations, Asofa-Solomona will be off-contract following the end of the 2023 season.
According to The Daily Telegraph the Storm were reportedly unaware of any rival offers being thrown at the Kiwis prop amid the speculation the Bulldogs have him on their radar.
The 26-year-old isn’t the only player on the club’s watch list as the Bulldogs have reportedly been eager to secure the services of Eels half Mitchell Moses and Penrith’s Stephen Crichton.
Asofa-Solomona will be a key member of the Storm’s forward pack heading into 2023 after the club farewelled Felise Kaufusi, Jesse Bromwich, Kenneath Bromwich and Brandon Smith.
Asofa-Solomona has scored 27 tries in 164 games for the Storm since his debut back in 2015 and has scored two tries in 12 Tests for New Zealand.
