NRL 2021: Bulldogs close to signing Tevita Pangai Jr, and in talks over Paul Vaughan

Weeks after being sacked after his Covid party breach, Paul Vaughan is set to be handed an NRL lifeline as part of a stunning double coup.

Could this be Gus’ great day one coup at Belmore?

The Daily Telegraph has been told Canterbury is closing in on another marquee signing for next season — Brisbane forward Tevita Pangai Jr.

And in a further revelation, the Bulldogs are also in talks with sacked St George Illawarra prop Paul Vaughan.

It is understood Canterbury’s three-year offer for Pangai Jr could be accepted in the next 48 hours.

Wests Tigers’ three-year offer is understood to be higher but Pangai has told Broncos teammates that he is leaning towards joining the Bulldogs.

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Tevita Pangai Jr could be on his way to the Bulldogs. Picture: NRL Photos

Privately, Bulldogs officials are confident of signing Pangai but remain wary the Broncos powerhouse might opt for the larger offer from Concord at the 11th hour.

Phil Gould started his new role as Bulldogs general manager of football on Monday and wasn’t involved in the club’s initial talks with Pangai.

But Gould is close to the negotiations through his strong friendship with Matt Desira, Pangai’s manager.

Tigers and Canterbury officials are hoping for a decision from Pangai by Tuesday or Wednesday.

The Bulldogs’ offer starts from this year.

Canterbury has enjoyed a remarkable recruitment build-up for 2022 which includes signing Josh Addo-Carr, Matt Burton, Brent Naden and Matt Dufty.

Pangai would give the Dogs some grunt and size up front.

Phil Gould is on deck at the Bulldogs.

Wests Tigers management hasn’t given up on signing Pangai and believe they too remain firmly in contention.

There was a suggestion Canterbury’s three-year deal was worth $2.1m but that figure has been strongly denied internally.

Brisbane would be prepared to keep Pangai for the final year of his deal next season but the player wants to leave Red Hill.

Canterbury is also considering signing Vaughan, however his situation is complex given he was handed an eight-match suspension by the NRL for his now infamous Covid barbecue that breached protocols.

Having now been sacked, potential suitors want to know whether the NRL would allow Vaughan – given he would have already served a lengthy suspension this year – to start next season.

Sacked Dragon Paul Vaughan is on the hunt for a new club. Picture: Simon Bullard

An eight-week ban from the start of next year would discourage clubs from signing Vaughan. However, Canterbury is believed to be looking at potentially signing Vaughan for the remaining six or seven games of 2021, which would count towards his suspension.

The negotiations would hinge on what the NRL Intergrity Unit considers a fair price for the remaining three months of Vaughan’s $800,000 annual salary.

At market value, that would cost the Bulldogs — or any team — around $200,000.

The Bulldogs have 15 players coming off contact after this season, a ruthless clean up looming at success-starved Belmore.

Originally published as NRL 2021: Bulldogs close to signing Tevita Pangai Jr, and in talks over Paul Vaughan