Stefano Utoikamanu in talks with Canterbury Bulldogs, Melbourne Storm

The Stefano Utoikamanu transfer saga has taken a fresh twist with the Bulldogs making a late play to sign the wantaway Wests Tigers forward. MARKET WATCH.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 30: Stefano Utoikamanu of the Tigers is tackled by the Roosters defence during the round 17 NRL match between Sydney Roosters and Wests Tigers at Allianz Stadium, on June 30, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Canterbury has made a shock late play for Wests Tigers and former NSW prop Stefano Utoikamanu.

The Bulldogs had kept talks with Utoikamanu a secret – until now.

It was thought Melbourne and the Dolphins were the only clubs interested in Utoikamanu before the Bulldogs joined the elite race.

Canterbury is desperate for a big bopper to play in the middle.

His looming exit could mean Wests Tigers lose Utoikamanu, John Bateman and Isaiah Papali’i for next season.

The Bulldogs haven’t yet tabled an offer yet for Utoikamanu but interest at Belmore is high.

Stefano Utoikamanu is being chased by the Bulldogs. Picture: NRL Imagery

There is a strong belief that Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo can extract the best from Utoikamanu.

Aged 24, Utoikamanu has told friends he wants to join a club he believes can challenge for a premiership. He is unlikely to remain at Wests Tigers from next year, despite the club having tabled a five-year deal worth $4m.

Utoikamanu has held two meetings with Melbourne and indicated a desire to enter Craig Bellamy’s system at the Storm.

Melbourne is buoyant about their chances of signing Utoikamanu.

The Eels and Storm have completed their due diligence on Utoikamanu’s attitude and work rate.

Canterbury wants to hold further talks to determine whether Utoikamanu has a genuine interest in moving to Belmore.

Utoikamanu also had a fan in Ciraldo.

Despite suggestions he will decide his future this week, Utoikamanu may take another fortnight before announcing his playing destination.

Stefano Utoikamanu may take another fortnight to make his decision. Picture: NRL Photos

Utoikamanu is unlikely to sign with the Dolphins after previously being linked with Canberra and St George Illawarra.

It now appears a two-club race between the Bulldogs and Storm.

By joining Canterbury, Utoikamanu wouldn’t need to leave Sydney. He has strong family ties in the Harbour City.

Utoikamanu doesn’t have an appetite to join the Raiders or Dragons.

The big front-rower has been impressed with Melbourne’s set-up but Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould is a known master negotiator.

The Storm may have to rework their salary cap to make Utoikamanu a substantial offer.

Utoikamanu was linked to Penrith but the Panthers have signed forward Isaiah Papali’i.

There had been suggestions that Wests Tigers may target Melbourne’s Nelson Asofa-Solomona if Utoikamanu walks but that speculation cannot be confirmed.

UTOIKAMANU MEETS WITH STORM BOSSES

- Fatima Kdouh

Wests Tigers are expecting the saga surrounding the future of Utoikamanu to be resolved in the next 48 hours.

It’s understood Utoikamanu is edging closer to making a decision, one that could come by Wednesday, after meeting with Storm bosses in Melbourne for the first time on Sunday.

The in-demand prop has already met with the Storm prior to travelling to Victoria for the second meeting over the weekend.

Tigers boss Shane Richardson confirmed to this masthead that a deadline had not been placed on Utoikamanu but the club is anticipating an answer from the 24-year old by Wednesday.

Utoikamanu has an option to remain at Concord beyond this year but also has a number of unique contract clauses that allow him to become a free agent if he did not play two Origin games this year or if the Tigers did not qualify for the finals.

The Tigers are pushing hard to keep Utoikamanu at Concord, having offered the rising forward a lucrative five-year deal worth around $4 million.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 30: Stefano Utoikamanu of the Tigers is tackled by the Roosters defence during the round 17 NRL match between Sydney Roosters and Wests Tigers at Allianz Stadium, on June 30, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Late last month, the club officially granted Utoikamanu permission to talk to rival outfits sparking a race for his signature.

The latest Melbourne development comes less than two weeks after Utoikamanu was spotted flying to Brisbane fuelling speculation the Dolphins were on the verge of making a serious play for the prop forward.

The Dolphins are looking to shore-up forward stocks given veteran prop Jesse Bromwich is set to retire at the end of the season. While star recruit Thomas Flegler has been sidelined with a shoulder injury that threatened to prematurely end his NRL career.

Both St George Illawarra and Canberra had shown genuine interest in luring Utoikamanu away from the Tigers but it’s believed negotiations with neither clubs have progressed any further in recent weeks.

Originally published as Stefano Utoikamanu in talks with Canterbury Bulldogs, Melbourne Storm