Market Watch: Sea Eagles sign Jake Simpkin as Wests Tigers begin retention of Stefano Utoikamanu

Manly is set confirm a mid-season signing in their team to play the Panthers as the Wests Tigers move to secure prop Stefano Utoikamanu on a long-term deal.

The Tigers are desperate to keep Stefano Utoikamanu. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Manly are expected to name Jake Simpkin in their side to play Penrith this weekend as the Wests Tigers finalised a release for the hooker and step up their attempts to tie down prop Stefano Utoikamanu before he hits the open market.

The Sea Eagles confirmed Simpkin’s signing from the Tigers in a deal that will allow him to debut against the premiers at Bluebet Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

“We are very pleased to welcome Jake to Manly. He is a quality player who has already gained plenty of experience in the NRL for a young man,’’ said Manly coach Anthony Seibold.

“Jake adds some depth in the hooking role and we feel this is a very good addition to our playing group.”

His departure is the latest move by the Tigers as they step up an overhaul of their roster in preparation for next season, with Simpkin expected to be the first of a handful of players to depart in coming months.

One player they are desperate to keep is Utoikamanu, who has a clause in his contract that could allow him to move at the end of the season.

Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson had planned to table a five-year extension to Utoikamanu before a recent trip to England and it has now been presented to the prop’s management in a bid to convince the former NSW State of Origin front rower to commit his future to the club.

Jake Simpkin is set to be named for Manly. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Utoikamanu has the ability to go to market at the end of the season if the Tigers miss the top eight and he fails to play another two games for the NSW Blues.

He was overlooked for Origin I and given the Tigers are languishing near the bottom of their ladder, their only hope of preventing him sourcing outside interest would be if he plays the remaining two Origin games or agrees to a new deal.

The former looks unlikely given Utoikamanu couldn’t even crack it for a start in the Blues’ extended squad and NSW coach Michael Maguire’s preference to select players from sides at the top of the ladder.

Richardson has, however, put a deal before Utoikamanu that he hopes will convince him to stay. The sense is that Utoikamanu will opt to explore his options and there is expected to be no shortage of interest in the prop.