Benji Marshall, Hull FC deal: Super League club tables NRL star monster deal

Benji Marshall has been tabled an offer that would see him overtake Gareth Widdop as the richest player in the English Super League.

Canterbury coach Trent Barrett at Belmore. Pic: Bulldogs Digital

Benji Marshall is set to become one of the highest paid players in the English Super League after Hull FC tabled a huge one-year deal to the veteran playmaker.

The Daily Telegraph understands Hull FC have made Marshall an offer for 2021 believed to be in the vicinity of £400,000 ($722,000AUD).

Last week, Marshall’s former Tigers teammate Brett Hodgson was confirmed as Hull FC’s new head coach.

Marshall and Hodgson were part of the Tigers’ maiden NRL premiership in 2005.

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Former Tigers teammates Brett Hodgson and Benji Marshall could reunite at Hull FC in the English Super League.

If Marshall, 35, accepts the deal he is set to earn as much as Warrington Wolves five-eighth and former St George Illawarra Dragons playmaker Gareth Widdop, who is the highest paid player in England.

It’s expected Marshall will make a decision about moving to England in the coming week.

Marshall has attracted interest from within the NRL but at this stage has been unable to come to an agreement with his suitors.

North Queensland and Cronulla expressed interest in Marshall but it’s believed both clubs were only willing to offer the 324-game veteran around $140,000 a season.

The ensuing tug of war between Canterbury and Penrith over Matt Burton could still well play a part in Marshall’s decision.

Marshall’s experience would be invaluable at a club like the Bulldogs, who have a crop of rising halves on their roster.

It’s understood Canterbury are interested in exploring Marshall as an option for 2021 but only if Burton does not receive a release from Penrith.

Trent Barrett is holding a spot for Matt Burton in his 2021 roster.

In a coup for the Bulldogs and new coach Trent Barrett, Burton agreed to join the Belmore club on a two-year deal from season 2022. The deal also has an option in the rookie playmaker’s favour in the third year.

But Barrett has not given up on securing Burton sooner and on Monday morning revealed he is keeping one of the three spots available in his 2021 roster open for the Dubbo junior.

“We’re definitely not done and dusted. We’ve got three spots still available and obviously one will be held for Matt Burton if we can try and do a deal and get him out early but the other two spots, we have a very clear idea of what we need and who we need to go after,” Barrett told SEN.

Elsewhere, while no deadline has been set on negotiations between the NRL and the Rugby League Players Association over the salary cap for 2021, both parties are close to coming to an agreement.

The NRL is set to hand down its recommendations for an amended salary cap this week and the RLPA will then consider the governing body’s proposal.

It’s believed a reduction of around five to 7.5 per cent can be expected on next year’s base salary cap which was slated to be $9.6 million as agreed in the current Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The RLPA is eager to have the salary cap determined as quickly as possible to give players certainty over their earnings ahead of the 2021 season.