Queensland Origin prop Christian Welch in Penrith’s sights despite recent knee injury
Penrith are locked in on signing Melbourne and Queensland prop Christian Welch - with the recent Maroons debutant’s price tag lowered by his recent knee injury.
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Penrith have locked their sights on injured Melbourne Storm prop Christian Welch.
A formal offer has not been tabled for the off-contract Queensland Origin star but his name is being heavily discussed inside Panthers HQ.
Welch, 25, ruptured his ACL this month and is out for the rest of the season, and Penrith believe they might now pick him up at a cheaper price.
The Daily Telegraph has been told Welch had all but agreed to a $500,000-a-season offer from Parramatta before he was injured.
He had even met Eels coach Brad Arthur and toured Parramatta’s training facilities.
The Eels have since backed away from the deal but may come back with a reduced offer.
Canterbury were also interested in Welch earlier in the season but it has waned. Welch also met with Bulldogs officials.
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Welch has an option in his favour to remain at Melbourne next season. He wants to stay but knows the Storm cannot offer any contract guarantees beyond next year.
The Panthers feel the need to strengthen their front-row stocks given James Tamou’s career is winding down and fellow prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard could make a mid-contract move to Parramatta.
It is understood Campbell-Gillard’s management met with the Eels last week but no details of that meeting have been relayed back to Penrith.
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Sources claim Campbell-Gillard could move to Parramatta now that Penrith are interested in Welch.
However, Penrith have worked out their salary cap issues and are content to keep Campbell-Gillard if a deal with Parramatta cannot be reached.
If so, the Panthers might be unable to sign Welch.
The Storm have been resigned to losing Welch, who made his Origin debut in game three this year, for several months.
They have less salary cap space to work with since the recent retention of Dale Finucane, Jesse Bromwich and Nelson Asofa-Solomona to big-money contracts.
There were suggestions Welch wanted $600,000 a season but would be satisfied with a around $500,000.
Before Welch ruptured his ACL against Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium in round 20, he had averaged 104m and 14.6 carries a game for the season.
A knee injury cruelly ended his chance to play in Melbourne’s 2017 finals series, which ended with a premiership.
NRL clubs are aware Welch is a role model off the field and works tirelessly with community issues.
Originally published as Queensland Origin prop Christian Welch in Penrith’s sights despite recent knee injury
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