Wayne Bennett preparing $4 million Dolphins deal for Latrell Mitchell

Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett has confirmed the NRL’s 17th club is interested in Latrell Mitchell and is ready to pounce with a mega offer.

Wayne Bennett and Latrell Mitchell.

Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett has confirmed the NRL’s 17th club is interested in pursuing South Sydney Rabbitohs fullback Latrell Mitchell.

The 25-year-old has been one of the competition’s best performance since he returned from a hamstring injury in Round 16.

And as first reported by The Australian, Bennett is hoping to lure the State of Origin champion to Redcliffe in 2024 on a three-year deal worth about $4 million.

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Mitchell, who is contracted with the Rabbitohs until the end of 2023, goes to free agency from November 1 — after this date, he will be free to field offers from rival clubs.

If he accepts the Dolphins offer, it would make Mitchell the highest-paid player in the NRL alongside Penrith Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary.

Bennett, who coached Mitchell for two years at South Sydney, is under mounting pressure to land a marquee signing for the Dolphins ahead of its inaugural season in the NRL.

“I haven’t had talks with Latrell, but if he is on the open market in November, then yes I’m interested,” he told the News Corp publication.

“He has been negotiating with South Sydney and they might do a deal before he becomes a free agent.

“Right now, he isn’t on the market.

“If Latrell does go to the open market, there will be 16 other clubs chasing him and we will be one of them.”

Latrell Mitchell of the Rabbitohs. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The Dolphins, who can only afford one high-profile signing on its salary cap, have also expressed their interest in Melbourne Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster.

“Everybody knows we are chasing Cameron Munster and he is our priority; that hasn’t been finalised,” Bennett continued.

“Under the salary cap, we can’t afford Munster and another guy of similar value like Latrell.

“Munster is our priority signing, but if Latrell is available in November, I will be keen to talk to him.”

But Mitchell has no interest in being the Dolphins’s back-up option, conceding it would be difficult to walk away from South Sydney.

“I am second choice Wayne, am I?” he told reporters.

“I can’t be second choice.

“I leave that (negotiations) up to my managers and Blake Solly (Rabbitohs CEO) to talk about.

“I have been here for almost 10 years, since I was 15.

“It is a hard one. I want to keep playing footy and enjoying what I am doing.

“That is what makes this club enjoyable, being around such a constructive group.

“We have a laugh here and there when we need to and we switch on when we need to. I love being around the people who are here. It is genuine.

“That is all I can say.”

Wayne Bennett congratulates Cameron Munster. Credit: NRL Images.

Speaking on Fox League’s NRL 360, News Corp journalist Paul Kent pointed out that Mitchell didn’t shut the door on the Dolphins.

“He doesn’t want to run second fiddle to Munster, but he didn’t deny an interest there,” he said on Tuesday evening.

“Do you think this is a ploy by the Dolphins to put pressure on Munster to sign quickly?”

Former NSW representative Braith Anasta, who is Munster’s manager, continued: “I do get the feeling that could be the case.

“Either way, what Wayne is doing is putting pressure on Cameron’s decision, and also on Latrell’s decision, and Souths will have to pay more Latrell now because there’s interest from the Dolphins.

“If the Dolphins miss out on Cameron, they’ll go Latrell.

“I cannot for the life of me see Latrell Mitchell leaving South Sydney or South Sydney letting Latrell Mitchell go.”