Two clubs are reportedly preparing to make a play for Bulldogs playmaker Khaled Rajad following the club’s signing of young gun Karl Oloapu.
Canterbury-Bankstown supremo Phil Gould decided to fork out $500,000 to secure the former Broncos star, while veteran Josh Reynolds was also awarded a top 30 contract last week.
Rajad, 21, was left out of the club’s first grade squad and according to The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield is looking for an exit.
Watch the new look NRL Pre-Season exclusive to Fox League available on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Maori All Stars get shaken up | 00:30
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
“There’s a young fellow, he’s 21 years of age and he played for Lebanon at the World Cup, he is a halfback, is he a five-eighth or he can play fullback,” Rothfield said on the Big Sports Breakfast.
“He is a really talented kid, his name is Khaled Rajab, played a lot of NSW Cup last year but has had a very good off-season.
“A couple of clubs have been eyeing him off, he didn’t make the Bulldogs 30 man NRL squad, there’s a couple of handy players who kept him out.
“Gus (Gould) went as signed the boy from the Broncos and paid a $500,000 transfer fee for him last week, and Josh Reynolds was on a train-and-trial contract.
“He might be 33-years of age but they think he’s got a bit to offer the Bulldogs this year as one of their leaders, so there wasn’t a position in the roster for this young fellow.”
Maori All Stars get shaken up | 00:30
MORE NRL NEWS
‘NOT WILLING TO LOOK AFTER YOU’: Player trike looms amid CBA dispute
‘ONE OF WORST LOSERS’: Tigers star reveals captaincy dream, latest on future
‘BREAKING DOWN TEAMS’: Cody flags post career plans amid All Stars challenge
DRAGONS CRISIS: Bird requires surgery after club’s pursuit of Croft hits $250k snag
According to Rothfield, the Roosters and Sharks are the teams in the mix to sign Rajad after a strong tournament for Lebanon at the World Cup.
The young playmaker appeared in three games for Michael Cheika’s side, playing in the No.6 jersey twice and coming off the bench against the Kangaroos.
“I’m told the Sydney Roosters and possibly the Cronulla Sharks are ready to pounce, I guess it is a disappointing one but you can only fit 30 players into a squad,” Rothfield said.
“Who am I to question Gus and Ciraldo when they determine their final 30, they decided to go with Reynolds.
“People could look at that from the outside and think maybe that has cost us a young player, but I am told Josh has had a good pre-season, they’re confident he is going to be a contributor and the kid from Brisbane is going to be a superstar.”
