Newcastle Knights admit interest in signing Latrell Mitchell
Newcastle coach Adam O’Brien is ready to use his friendship with Latrell Mitchell to lure the Roosters superstar to the Knights – the only sticking point is whether they have the salary cap space.
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Newcastle coach Adam O’Brien has confirmed interest in signing Kangaroo centre Latrell Mitchell, saying: “We’re mates … and I’d never stick a line through a superstar”.
Less than 24 hours after the Roosters withdrew an $800,000 offer to the 22-year-old Mitchell for season 2021, O’Brien suggested his Knights could be interested in the mercurial star.
Already, North Queensland, Canterbury and Wests Tigers have been linked to the Australian Test player.
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However, The Daily Telegraph understands Mitchell likes the idea of joining the Hunter club given its proximity to his hometown of Taree and the promise of adding to a backline already boasting Mitchell Pearce and Kalyn Ponga.
The Roosters poster boy also has a close relationship with O’Brien, who this past year switched from his role as a Melbourne Storm assistant to work alongside Roosters head coach Trent Robinson.
Yet while Newcastle still have four spots available in their 2020 NRL roster, the club is unlikely to have the salary cap space required to offer Mitchell an immediate switch.
However, new coach O’Brien hinted he was not yet ruling a line through the idea either.
Asked if he was expecting a call from Latrell this week, the incoming Knights coach replied: “Not personally. We’re mates and we connected at the Roosters.
“But he has managers. And I don’t know if we’ve had any direct correspondence with Latrell’s management yet because I haven’t spoken to (Knights recruitment boss) Alex McKinnon about that.
“I have spoken to Alex about a number of things as we’ve still got some spots available on our list. But they’re not spots at that high end in the salary cap.”
Asked if that put a line through Mitchell joining the Knights, O’Brien continued: “You can never put a line through elite superstar players. But at the same time it is a long way away from happening, just due to the amount of money that you’d have to pay for Mitchell.
“I’ve also got some young guys here that I don’t necessarily want to roadblock either. We’ve got some really good kids here at this club and their development is really important to me.
“So getting the right balance in your cap … look, at the moment we’ve got a really good spine, got some good guys up front and you can’t have everyone. That’s why there is a salary cap.
“At this stage (signing Mitchell) would be a long way away. But I’d never stick a line through a superstar.”
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On Tuesday evening, the Roosters withdrew their contract renewal offer to Mitchell for 2021 and beyond.
While the reigning premiers were keen to keep the Australian Test star beyond his contract expiring next season, it is understood the centre was unhappy with the size of the deal being offered to stay.
Originally published as Newcastle Knights admit interest in signing Latrell Mitchell