Josh Addo-Carr contract: Fresh twist throws race wide open
Just when we thought Josh Addo-Carr was locked in to join the Wests Tigers, the race has been thrown wide open yet again.
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The struggling Wests Tigers could be in danger of missing out on another key signing with Josh Addo-Carr now considered a growing chance of staying at Melbourne in 2021.
In another huge twist to the NRL player market circus ahead of Wednesday’s opening State of Origin, it can be revealed the star NSW winger’s management is preparing to start negotiations with rival clubs for beyond next season, instead of concentrating specifically on seeking an immediate release.
This would free up Addo-Carr to join any club of his choice for 2022, and those negotiations can start immediately given the November 1 trade window is now open.
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While Addo-Carr has a year to run on his Storm contract, it is understood he has already committed to a heads of agreement to join the Tigers if he comes to Sydney in 2021.
However, the Tigers’ reluctance to hand over either David Nofoaluma or young gun Tommy Talau has proved a huge sticking point with the Storm.
The concern now is it could ultimately sink the deal in the coming week.
There was also speculation over the weekend that Addo-Carr might be getting cold feet about joining the Tigers. That rumour was flatly denied by sources close to Addo-Carr on Sunday.
Regardless, it would be a huge blow for the Tigers if they were to miss out on another big name signing given their ongoing disappointment in respect to player recruitment and retention.
Canterbury is the only other club in the hunt to sign Addo-Carr for next season, with the Bulldogs considering releasing Reimis Smith.
But what makes it confusing is the heads of agreement that commits Addo-Carr to the Tigers if he shifts north next year.
On the surface, it would appear the Bulldogs are wasting their time even bothering to court Addo-Carr.
Although interestingly, if Addo-Carr stays in Melbourne to complete the final year of his contract, all bets are off in relation to that heads of agreement commitment to the Tigers.
It was also noted how Melbourne made a point of saluting its departing players at its recent presentation, but Addo-Carr’s name wasn’t on that list.
This latest twist could also see South Sydney re-enter the race to sign Addo-Carr for the following season, with the Rabbitohs freeing up salary cap space by possibly moving Corey Allan and James Roberts.
It’s a catch 22 for the struggling Tigers.
While they could have secured Addo-Carr’s signature earlier if they had been willing to hand over Nofoaluma or Talau to the Storm, that wasn’t an option they were prepared to consider.
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It’s understandable given the Tigers have copped plenty of backlash in the past for releasing the likes of Addo-Carr and Ryan Papenhuyzen, along with James Tedesco.
The other side of the argument is that missing out on another star signing would be an even worse look for a club that seriously needs to make a statement on the player market after also missing Latrell Mitchell last year.
Tigers chief executive Justin Pascoe could not be contacted.