The Warriors have their sights on Addin Fonua-Blake
The Warriors have launched a $2.5 million bid for Addin Fonua-Blake after he was given permission to leave Manly
The Warriors finished Wednesday night in the box seat to sign Addin Fonua-Blake after making a formal offer to the Tongan international only moments after news filtered through of his plans to leave Manly.
With Brisbane and Gold Coast having ruled out making a play for Fonua-Blake, the Warriors’ only competition for the 24-year-old would appear to be North Queensland.
The Cowboys, however, don’t have the cap room to accommodate Fonua-Blake’s salary, which exceeds $800,000 next season and the year after.
They could look to move a player – Josh McGuire has been linked with St George Illawarra – but the clock is ticking and they may not have the time to create cap space.
The Warriors, on the other hand, have acres of cap room after missing out on Jack de Belin and it is understood they have already tabled a three-year offer to Fonua-Blake worth around $2.5m.
Manly were loath to lose Fonua-Blake but his departure would give them the space to restructure their cap. It would also give them the opportunity to invest in other areas of the team – they have been linked with their former premiership-winning five-eighth Kieran Foran as well as Wests Tigers backrower Luke Garner, who would replace England-bound Joel Thompson.
“Fonua-Blake, has expressed his desire to relocate out of Sydney with his young family at the end of the 2020 NRL Season,” the Sea Eagles said in a statement. “He has sought permission for his manager to discuss this possibility with a small number of NRL clubs.
“While Addin is a senior and highly valued member of the Sea Eagles squad and would be a huge loss, out of respect to him and his circumstances, the club has today given its permission for the exploratory conversations to be conducted immediately.”
An emotional Fonua-Blake is believed to have approached Manly chief executive Steve Humphreys and coach Des Hasler on Tuesday requesting a release for personal reasons.
It is understood he told the club that he and his wife wanted to get out of Sydney and Manly granted him permission to negotiate with interstate clubs as well as the Warriors.
The powerful frontrower has had his troubles off the field in the past and it is understood his family believe it is in his best interests to get out of Sydney.
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