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The Eels’ exodus is about to get even bigger with another star reportedly considering a shock defection to French rugby union.
The Dolphins have reportedly identified their marquee man and are considering throwing him an offer which would make him the highest-paid player in the NRL.
Meanwhile, there’s some good news for Roosters fans with an in-demand star set to knock back interest to re-sign.
Read on for the latest NRL Transfer Whispers.
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SIVO SET FOR SHOCK CODE SWITCH
Parramatta winger Maika Sivo is reportedly considering a shock defection to French rugby union.
News Corp reports the 28-year-old is being offered the chance to quit the NRL after next season for a pay day in Europe.
Another Fijian-born Eels winger, Semi Radradra, moved to Toulon rugby union after the 2017 NRL season.
Sivo is contracted for another two years but the 2023 season marks an option in his favour and he could leave for the 15-man game.
Sivo is set to earn $400,000 at the Eels next year and would attract a more lucrative offer in France.
The rumour mill already has a replacement lined up at Parramatta should Sivo depart, with Canberra’s Bailey Simonsson named.
Meanwhile, Eels forward Marata Niukore is ready to leave for the Warriors and the deal is almost done.
The Auckland-born Niukore reportedly wants a return home to New Zealand when his Eels deal expires after next season.
PONGA’S BIG DOLPHINS OPPORTUNITY
Ever since the Dolphins were rubber-stamped as the NRL’s 17th team, the big question has been who will be their marquee signing?
News Corp journalist Phil Rothfield believes the club, led by veteran coach Wayne Bennett, have picked Knights superstar Kalyn Ponga as their big-fish signing.
The 23-year-old is signed until the end of 2022 and then has an option in his favour for 2023 and 2024.
Rothfield told Sky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfastthat the Dolphins are considering offering Ponga a “ridiculous” salary to try and lure him to the club.
“I still think they’ll go harder for Kalyn Ponga more than any other player,” he said.
“I’ve heard ridiculous money, I’ve heard about $1.4 million a year, which would make him clearly the highest-paid player in the game. He’s ex-Queensland, (he) originally started at the Cowboys.”
However, the Dolphins’ chase won’t be as simple as throwing a lot of money at Ponga.
It was reported earlier this year by Fox League’s James Hooper that Newcastle have to win the premiership in order for Ponga to be allowed to activate those clauses.
The Knights will need to improve dramatically to challenge for the premiership next season otherwise it will take some serious negotiating to get the Dolphins deal over the line.
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MANU TO RE-COMMIT TO ROOSTERS
Joey Manu is one of the hottest names to become a ‘free agent’ from Monday. The Roosters superstar took his game to another level this season, especially impressing when he filled in at fullback and five-eighth.
The 25-year-old caught the attention of the Warriors who have been very open about their intentions to table him an offer for 2023 and beyond.
The offer is said to be around the $1 million per season mark given the club has a lot of cash to spend after Roger Tuivasa-Sheck’s departure.
It was reported over the weekend that Manu’s desire to permanently switch to fullback or five-eighth could force the Roosters to let him go given they’ve already got James Tedesco and Luke Keary in those positions.
However, in a huge boost for the Roosters, Rothfield believes Manu will re-sign with the club in the next two days on a deal worth around $150,000 less than what he could get at the Warriors.
“I think in the next 48 hours, the great Roosters centre Joey Manu, who’s going to get a $1 million-plus offer from the Warriors, I think he’s going to recommit to the Roosters,” he told Sky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast.
“I think he’s going to take unders, probably $850,000 or something like that. I think he wants to be a one-club player.
“They’re about to hit 30 and Joey’s much younger. I think that will come… I’m getting good mail that he’ll stay at the Roosters.”
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