Sam Walker’s asking price is about $1 million more than what the Roosters offered for a new contract, a new report has revealed — while his camp has also been sniffing out rumours of the club’s interest in Nathan Cleary.
Watch every game of every round of the NRL Premiership LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
Nine Newspapers’ Danny Weidler reported on Sunday that Walker’s original offer from the Roosters was $5.6 million over four years, or $1.4 million per season. His asking price is $6.8 million over four years, or $1.7 million per season.
The contract will include ratchet clauses so that Walker’s salary increases with an expected spike in the salary cap.
Weidler reported that the $1.2 million gap in prices was not considered insurmountable, and would certainly be paid if Walker had delivered a premiership by the time contract talks resumed; with the halfback himself saying in a negotiation meeting that for now, he preferred to concentrate on football.
Another fascinating detail in the report: two months ago, members of Walker’s camp made phone calls to determine if rumoured interest from the Roosters in Panthers champion Nathan Cleary was serious. Weidler said that people close to Walker wanted to know if the Roosters were looking elsewhere and the Queensland Origin halfback’s future was not secure.
Up to four Dragons could be on the chopping block at season’s end amid the club’s rebuild while details of a secret meeting with a star playmaker has been revealed.
Skipper Clint Gutherson and Moses Suli could be on the way out of the joint venture club.
According to news.com.au, there are plans to look at moving on Gutherson, Suli, Kyle Flanagan and Lhykan King-Togia, despite the quartet under contract until the end of 2027.
The Dragons have been the most active team in the NRL in recruiting players for next season, undergoing a dramatic roster facelift.
Scott Drinkwater, Keaon Koloamatangi, Luke Metcalf, Kodi Nikorima, Phil Sami and Connor Watson will be new faces next season, which indicates the likes of Gutherson and Suli will be surplus to requirements.
It leaves the playing career of the 31-year-old Gutherson in limbo.
TALKING POINTS: Big issue Foz must fix; ‘risk’ that could spell end for contender
CRAWLEY: Inside ballsy $5m Roosters snub that could blow up in star’s face
Meanwhile, the future of playmaker Daniel Atkinson has been cleared up somewhat.