NRL Market Watch: Phil Gould denies chasing Mitch Moses but won’t rule out an approach

It’s the same successful tactic Phil Gould used to lure head coach Cameron Ciraldo to the Bulldogs - but will it work on Parramatta’s $1 million man?

Mitchell Moses could command up to $1.4m a year in his next contract. Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

Canterbury general manager of football, Phil Gould, has opened up about his club’s link to Mitch Moses, saying the star playmaker was not “looking outside Parramatta for his next playing contract.”

Gould did admit Moses would be a target if he left the Eels, declaring: “I’d hope the Bulldogs are a club he would consider.”

Rugby league’s 24/7 rumour mill has cranked into top gear over Moses with speculation increasing the playmaker would quit Parramatta for either Wests Tigers or Canterbury.

It comes on a day when Canterbury released Corey Allan from the final season of his contract to sign a one-year deal with the Sydney Roosters.

Moses, who has another season to run on his Eels deal, will demand at least $1m a year - probably more - on the open market.

Gould stressed his club was not actively chasing Moses but was playing the waiting game. It was the same successful tactic Gould used to lure head coach Cameron Ciraldo to Belmore.

In a text message about Moses to The Daily Telegraph, Gould wrote: “To put things simply, I’m not going to be confirming or denying rumour after rumour about player signings. It’s ridiculous.

Canterbury Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“We don’t actively look to recruit players from other clubs. If a player makes the decision he wants to leave his club, or that decision has been made for him by his club, then the manager or player usually contact us and we proceed from there.

“That’s been the case with every player I have recruited to the Bulldogs.

“In this case, neither the player nor his manager has indicated that Mitchell is looking outside Parramatta for his next playing contract.

“If Mitchell decides, for whatever reason, he’d like a change of clubs, then I’d hope the Bulldogs are a club he would consider. However, as stated, there has been no indication that is the case.”

Wests Tigers chief executive Justin Pascoe would not discuss his club’s interest in Moses.

“We won’t make any public comments about recruitment or retention - that’s an internal matter,” Pascoe said.

Mitchell Moses could command up to $1.4m a year in his next contract. Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

Despite still being on a mandatory break after the rugby league World Cup, Moses popped into Parramatta’s Kellyville headquarters this week to catch up with head coach Brad Arthur.

The Eels claim to have tabled a strong offer, believed to span four-years, and that Moses is happy with his football.

One theory suggests Wests Tigers could blow away their rivals with an offer for Moses which could reach $1.4m a year.

There was speculation on Thursday that Allan’s exit from Canterbury may free up some additional money for Penrith’s Stephen Crichton.

Penrith is aware of the difficulties in re-signing Crichton given the club’s red-hot roster.

Crichton wants to remain at Penrith to play alongside close mates Brian To’o and Jarome Luai but also knows he can secure a larger contract by leaving.

Penrith hope to formally retain To’o early next week before then focusing on Crichton. Sources close to Penrith claim the club’s salary cap is “getting really tight.”

Originally published as NRL Market Watch: Phil Gould denies chasing Mitch Moses but won’t rule out an approach