Latrell Mitchell set to meet with Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett
With South Sydney focused on tying up Jai Arrow from the Gold Coast, Latrell Mitchell’s potential move to Redfern could hang on a meeting with Wayne Bennett later this week.
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Latrell Mitchell will meet with master coach Wayne Bennett in the coming days in a bid to finalise a deal at South Sydney this week.
Mitchell’s preference is to join the Rabbitohs under Bennett, and he is willing to take a pay cut to improve as a player and person under the seven-time premiership-winning mentor.
However, the Test and Origin star is yet to receive an offer from Souths as they focus on approving a release for Gold Coast prop Jai Arrow to join the club this season.
The Daily Telegraph understands Arrow’s release from the Titans will be finalised in the next 24 hours.
This will allow Souths to move on Mitchell despite reports suggesting that he isn’t a priority for the club.
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While the Rabbitohs are in the box seat to secure the Test and Origin star, a number of other NRL clubs have inquired about his services.
This includes a representative from Canterbury while the Wests Tigers and the Gold Coast have also asked questions about his future.
At this point, though, Mitchell’s aim is to join Souths to play alongside friends like Cody Walker, James Roberts and Braidon Burns.
He also is attracted to the Rabbitohs’ strong indigenous community and feels he will prosper in that environment.
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Mitchell could earn upwards of $1.3 million if he joined the Tigers, but it is understood he doesn’t want the pressure of being the marquee man.
It’s why he is leaning towards signing with a genuine premiership contender in Souths, who are still loaded with talent despite losing John Sutton, Greg Inglis and Sam Burgess to retirement.
After months of having his future speculated in the media, Mitchell is determined to secure a club to start training in preparation for the 2020 season.
His clearance from ex-manager Wayde Rushton was signed off on Monday, allowing him to link with agent Matt Rose, who looks after NRL stars like Cody Walker, Jack Wighton and Australian boxer Tim Tszyu.
It is understood Mitchell will sign a two-year deal and he will play fullback.
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