NRL 2021 transfer news: Mitchell Pearce future, Luke Thompson rejects Wests Tigers, Cowboys

Wests Tigers are refusing to accept defeat after being turned down by another high-profile recruiting target. Plus, a shock suitor emerges for Mitchell Pearce.

Magoulias played a starring role to deliver Newtown some glory in the 2019 NSW Cup grand final. Picture: AAP

Wests Tigers are refusing to give up on securing Canterbury prop Luke Thompson despite Thompson indicating he wants to remain at Belmore next season.

The Tigers have missed out on a host of big names already this year, including Dale Finucane, Paul Vaughan and Tevita Pangai Junior but are determined the English international does not join the long-list of recent near misses.

Thompson has rejected the advances of the Cowboys and the Tigers.

Despite the interest – including a three-year offer from the Tigers – Thompson has opted to fulfil his commitments with the Bulldogs.

Thompson had meetings with Tigers coach Michael Maguire before telling the club he was deciding against joining them. While they have already been rejected, the Tigers have not ruled out making another play and potentially upping their deal.

Luke Thompson is keen to stay at the Bulldogs. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

The Cowboys were also told of Thompson’s reluctance to move.

While Thompson is staying at Canterbury for now, that situation is likely to change.

Rival clubs will now monitor the situation before deciding if they want to pick up a large chunk of the $1.4 million he has remaining on his two seasons at Canterbury.

The Bulldogs are expected to pitch in about $200,000 for Thompson to play elsewhere. The club is reluctant to let one of their best forwards go but are keen on having their roster better balanced next season.

Thompson’s big pay packet comes after joining the club midway through last season. Canterbury are already heavily invested in the forward pack with Tevita Pangai Jr and Paul Vaughan joining them next year alongside Josh Jackson and Adam Elliott, who are already on big deals.

The English prop made his return from the Bulldogs from suspension against the Knights on Saturday. The Tigers and Canterbury square off in the final round of the year.

Maguire said: “We seemed to get linked to most players which is nice. A player of (Thompson’s) calibre is someone we’d look at, but where that will find itself, time will tell.”

SHOCK SUITOR EMERGES FOR NRL VETERAN

Catalans have emerged as a shock suitor for Knights halfback Mitchell Pearce.

The UK Super League club, based in the south of France, view Pearce as their chief playmaker and direct replacement for James Maloney.

Catalans are willing to join the Raiders pitch for Pearce with the Super League club considering a lucrative three-year offer after Maloney announced last week that he will retire from the sport at the end of this year.

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The Catalans interest in Pearce extends from a relationship with Catalans head coach Steve McNamara, who previously worked with the premiership-winner.

McNamara spent three seasons at the Roosters between 2013 and 2016 where he worked as an assistant to head coach Trent Robinson.

He’s signed to Newcastle until the end of 2022 but Mitch Pearce is in demand in the Super League. Picture: Getty Images.

At 32, the possibility of farewelling the NRL spotlight that has followed Pearce ever since his debut at the age of 18, would carry appeal.

Whether Pearce is ready to effectively end his NRL career remains to be seen.

The Knights have made it clear they want Pearce to see out his current deal.

But the club is also loaded with depth in their halves with Jake Clifford, Phoenix Crossland, Simi Sasagi, Kurt Mann at their disposal. While importantly, it’s widely considered Kalyn Ponga is also on the cusp of transitioning from fullback to five-eighth.

On-contract at Newcastle until the end of next season, Pearce is poised to become a major player on the NRL transfer market with rival clubs permitted to officially offer the former NSW Origin half a deal for 2022 and beyond from November 1.

The Raiders are one club that are preparing to table Pearce an offer, with head coach Ricky Stuart a major factor in the Green Machine’s pitch.

James Maloney’s retirement has opened the door for Catalans to target Mitchell Pearce. Picture: Nigel Roddis/Getty Images

Stuart’s innate understanding of halfback-play, coupled with the lure of partnering Dally M winner Jack Wighton would prove appealing to Pearce.

Canberra are without a recognised half for 2022 following the early-season departure of George Williams and Pearce is easily the most experienced half on the verge of being able to formally negotiate.

The Bulldogs are also assessing Pearce as an experienced halves option, but are dealing with major salary cap pressure for 2022 and 2023.

CULT HERO’S ‘PERFECT’ FIT FOR NRL STRUGGLERS

By Dean Ritchie

Billy Magoulias is coming off contract with his manager predicting the Cronulla lock would be a perfect fit for either Wests Tigers, Canterbury, Canberra or Brisbane.

Magoulias, 24, is hoping to play a similar ball playing, link role as Roosters lock Victor Radley and Newcastle’s Connor Watson.

“The way the game is going, with that ball-playing 13, he fits the role, the same as Watson and Radley,” said Pacific Sports Management’s Adam Doyle.

“We see him as a skilful 13 who can help the seven and six.

Billy Magoulias is off-contract at Cronulla. Picture: AAP

Magoulias played a starring role to deliver Newtown some glory in the 2019 NSW Cup grand final. Picture: AAP

“Wests Tigers could have used him on the weekend. They are a big, mobile side but haven’t got anyone who can play that link role on the advantage line and get them going forward.

“The Bulldogs could do with him, definitely. They have great workers like Josh Jackson but don’t have anyone who could use the ball. Brisbane could use him, even Canberra. If Billy was at the Raiders, he could get Jack Wighton playing wider and quicker.”

Magoulias was part of Newtown’s 2019 Canterbury Cup grand final win over Wentworthville at Bankwest Stadium.

Just a week later, Magoulias chip-kicked for Newtown’s last second, match winning try in the NRL State Championship final against Burleigh Bears at ANZ Stadium.

“His skill in those games was unbelievable,” Doyle said. “We want to give him an opportunity where he can showcase that skill and play that tip-on role as a 13.”

Originally published as NRL 2021 transfer news: Mitchell Pearce future, Luke Thompson rejects Wests Tigers, Cowboys