Transfer Gossip 13

by James Gordon 13 Nov 2009

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As the club's piece together their final squads for the 2010 season, what late moves are being rumoured?

Paul Deacon, Bradford to Wigan
Wigan are set to sign the former Great Britain scrum-half Paul Deacon from Bradford, clearing the way for the Bulls to spend a large chunk of the money they received from South Sydney for Sam Burgess by recruiting Matt Orford from Manly as Deacon's playmaking replacement. Deacon, who is from Wigan and still lives in the town, fits into the policy of the Warriors chairman Ian Lenagan of bringing successful local products back to the club. Although at 30 his best playing days are undoubtedly behind him, he has been signed partly to help the development of Sam Tomkins, the 20-year-old whose meteoric recent rise will continue this weekend when he plays for England against Australia in the Gillette Four Nations final. (Source: The Guardian)

Matt Orford, Manly to Bradford
Matt Orford is ready to walk out on Manly after English Super League club Bradford weighed in with a big offer. Increasingly frustrated at the protracted negotiations with the Sea Eagles, Orford and fellow 2008 grand final heroes David Williams and Michael Robertson find themselves uncontracted just days from the scheduled start of the club's pre-season training. Scott Penn, who has been standing in as chief executive, said he was unaware Orford was considering a move to the UK. "The last I heard, a week or so ago, was we were close and his manager was happy with where we were at," Penn said. "We have been trying to finalise the construction of the deal." (Source: Fox Sports, Australia)

Eorl Crabtree, Huddersfield to Gold Coast
Eorl 'Goldilocks' Crabtree has snubbed a lucrative switch to the NRL. Crabtee, nephew of wrestling icon Shirley 'Big Daddy' Crabtree, has been England's star forward in the Four Nations series. But he won't be following international team-mate Sam Burgess Down Under. Gold Coast Titans coach and ex-Kangaroos and Salford ace John 'Hoss' Cartwright insists Crabtree would be an even bigger success in Australia. He said: "I've watched him make progress all through the 2009 Super League season - and I would take him tomorrow." (Source: The Sun)

Danny Brough, Wakefield to Huddersfield
Have Huddersfield Giants got £150,000 spare to sign Danny Brough? Cash-strapped Wakefield probably hope so. Brough has had an extended three-year deal at Belle Vue waiting on the table for four months. But in the past week it has been revealed the Wildcats have been fighting off a £353,000 tax bill. (Source: The Sun)

Dylan Nash, Gateshead to Halifax
Reports coming out of the north east over the weekend claim that Halifax are one of several clubs chasing Gateshead Thunder's highly rated Australian back rower Dylan Nash. Nash, a standout performer for the north east outfit in 2009, looks certain to quit the crisis-hit outpost club. Thunder have already lost coach Steve McCormack to Barrow as a consequence of their ongoing ownership issues, while star full back Nick Youngquest is expected to join Celtic Crusaders. (Source: Halifax Courier)

Sean Penkywicz, Halifax to Salford
Salford are continuing to pursue Halifax hooker Sean Penkywicz, although it is looking increasingly likely that he will remain with the Championship club. He penned a two-year deal midway through last season, but the Reds have been on the hunt for cover for injured number nine Malcolm Alker. Reports suggests that Salford offered Penkywicz a deal, but that he has turned it down to remain at The Shay. (Source: Halifax Courier)