Bulls In Hunt For Solomona

The 28-year-old hooker – who pulled out of New Zealand’s Gillette Tri-Nations defence with a bicep injury – has two years left on his Wildcats contract but has submitted a formal request for as release.

Solomona played a crucial part in keeping Wakefield in the engage Super League; but had the club been relegated he would have become a free agent under the provisions of his contract.

Now the Bulls – favourites for the second rower’s signature – may have to pay as much as £200,000 to bring him to Grattan Stadium.

The news comes as the Rugby Football League are investigating Wakefield’s claims that the Bulls made an illegal approach to Solomona while the club were fighting to retain Super League status at the end of 2005.

Wakefield chief executive Steve Ferres admits that the situation is disappointing for the Wildcats, claiming that Solomona had been unsettled at the offer of a move elsewhere.

"The club is obviously disappointed and indeed devastated that David has made an official request for a release from his contract as he is one of the best forwards in the game and an integral member of the Wildcats squad," said Ferres.

"David made a verbal request to leave a couple of days after our last game of the season and was asked to reconsider his position. Unfortunately, he has now confirmed his demands to leave the club.

"Solomona and his agent have been told that his release will only be granted if the terms of his transfer are acceptable to the club and we are extremely annoyed and disappointed that we have been placed in this situation.

"We now have a key player who is unsettled because he has been offered a better financial deal elsewhere."

Solomona has previously been linked with Hull FC and Warrington Wolves; but Hull have now signed Willie Manu while the Wolves are expected to announce the signing of Vinnie Anderson.

It is thought that will leave the Bulls and St Helens battling it out to bring Somomona into their squad.

"Of course, we are interested," said Bulls chairman Peter Hood. "We are always interested in quality players and he is certainly a considerable talent. That is beyond question.

"We will certainly express our interest but any deal has got to be realistic and affordable."