Moses Mbye asks for permission to leave Wests Tigers

Moses Mbye is happy to abandon his big-money deal with the Tigers so he can find a club that actually wants him out on the field.

Moses Mbye is looking for a way out.

Moses Mbye wants out of the Wests Tigers, seeking permission to explore his options elsewhere in search of more minutes at a new club next season.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported the Tigers utility has approached the club about leaving at the end of the year, rather than waiting for his big-money deal to run out at the end of 2022, in the hope of finding a new team that will have more use for him.

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Mbye arrived at Concord in 2018 and has played fullback, hooker, in the centres, in the halves and come off the bench during a stint that has seen the 27-year-old’s career stall as the Tigers continued to miss out on finals action.

He played five-eighth in the season-opener against Canberra, but was squeezed out of the starting 13 when Adam Doueihi returned from suspension to wear the No. 6 jersey against the Roosters.

Mbye came off the bench again in the Tigers’ first win of the year against Newcastle on Sunday, and is aware the team isn’t getting bang for its buck.

However, if he can’t find another home, Mbye is happy to continue representing the Tigers in 2022, and made it clear he has no problem with the club or its treatment of him.

“Let’s be brutally honest, I don’t think the club would be thrilled that their marquee player is being used off the bench for half an hour a week,” Mbye told the Herald.

“I’m not ashamed to admit that the club is not getting value for money out of me. I have a big opinion of the club and want to be part of its success. It’s why I have no intention of leaving this year or leaving the club in a hole.

“But I know this opportunity can benefit the club as well as myself and it may work out a win-win situation for both parties. I get the opportunity to look around and find a club that wants me to play more minutes, and potentially even another year on top of my deal.”

Mbye is struggling for regular game time.

The Tigers released a statement on Wednesday night, saying: “Moses Mbye has been granted permission to discuss his playing future with other clubs from the 2022 NRL season.

“Mbye, who is currently under contract at Wests Tigers until the end of 2022, has not asked for a request to be released from his contract.

“Moses has expressed his firm commitment to the club and its playing group for the 2021 season, with the request to discuss his playing future pertaining to his preference to secure a long-term deal elsewhere.

“Moses remains an integral part of the club’s squad for the 2021 season and the club has reiterated its position that his significance remains as such following this move.”

Mbye was brought to Concord on a four-year deal by Ivan Cleary, worth approximately $3 million, then became Tigers captain when Michael Maguire took the reins. However, the former Queensland Origin star — who played three games for the Maroons in 2019 — stood down from the captaincy at the end of last season.

It’s been reported Mbye is set to earn $800,000 if he stays in black and orange next year, and the Tigers may be prepared to pay part of his salary if he is able to find a new suitor for 2022.

Mbye has played 138 NRL games, debuting for the Bulldogs in 2014 before leaving Canterbury four years later.