[ad_1]
Wayne Bennett has confirmed his interest in luring Latrell Mitchell to the Dolphins — however the Rabbitohs superstar has made it clear he has to be their No.1 target to even consider the switch.
It comes as the Dolphins’ chances of landing Cameron Munster as their marquee man took a big hit when Munster’s manager, Braith Anasta, revealed on NRL 360 that the Storm were “back in the frame” after tabling an “impressive” offer on Tuesday.
The Dolphins are considering a three-year offer worth $1.3 million a season for Mitchell, according to News Corp, which would make him the highest-paid player in the game with Penrith’s Nathan Cleary.
Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Mitchell is contracted until the end of 2023 and while the Rabbitohs are hopeful of locking him in, if they don’t get a deal done before November 1, the 25-year-old will be free to field offers from rivals for 2024.
Bennett, who is yet to land a marquee player for the Dolphins’ inaugural season in 2023, confirmed his interest in Mitchell for 2024 to News Corp.
“I haven’t had talks with Latrell, but if he is on the open market in November, then yes I’m interested,” he said.
“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.”
Bennett has made no secret in his interest in Munster too but the catch is that the Dolphins won’t have the money to sign both players.
“Under the salary cap, we can’t afford Munster and another guy of similar value like Latrell,” he said.
“We can only have one marquee player.
“Munster is our priority signing, but if Latrell is available in November, I will be keen to talk to him.”
MORE NRL NEWS
STEP UP: Payne Haas handed $1m reality check as Broncos’ big problem laid bare
ALL OVER: Sharks GF hero Fifita to depart… but could a homecoming be on?
‘WIDE OPEN’: Verdict on NRL’s contenders, pretenders, ‘scary’ Panthers truth sinks in
RESERVES WRAP: Rugby convert’s message to Bellamy; 130kg tank can’t be stopped
Mitchell learned of Bennett’s interest on Tuesday and had a cheeky response.
“I am second choice Wayne, am I?” Mitchell said in reference to Munster being the priority.
“I can’t be second choice.
“I leave that (negotiations) up to my managers and Blake Solly (Rabbitohs CEO) to talk about.”
Speaking on NRL 360, News Corp journalist Paul Kent noticed that Mitchell didn’t close the door on the Dolphins.
He also suggested that Mitchell may be trying to convince Bennett to go all-in on him.
“He doesn’t want to run second fiddle to Munster, but he didn’t deny an interest there,” Kent said.
Paul Crawley added: “It means he isn’t going there because he is second choice.”
But Kent responded with: “Or it means he’s putting pressure on Wayne to flip from Munster to him, which would then put pressure on Munster to jump in and get the deal done quickly with the Dolphins.”
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
Taree-product Mitchell has been based in Sydney for the last 10 years, having previously played for the Roosters.
He said the idea of moving to Queensland is “a hard one” especially because the people at the Rabbitohs are “genuine.”
Regardless, Mitchell does have a relationship with Bennett that can’t be ignored. The two formed a close bond while Bennett coached the Rabbitohs.
NRL 360 host Braith Anasta thinks there’s next to no chance of Mitchell walking out on the Bunnies.
“I cannot for the life of me see Latrell Mitchell leaving South Sydney or South Sydney letting Latrell Mitchell go,” he said.
[ad_2]
Source link
