Brad Arthur addresses Herman Ese’ese links with emphatic response as transfer teased

Leeds Rhinos coach Brad Arthur has emphatically shut down suggestions Herman Ese’ese will sign for the club.

The Hull FC forward has been linked with a move to AMT Headingley, with reports from Sky Sports last weekend suggesting that Ese’ese was playing his final game for the Black and Whites in their win over St Helens.

That led many to assume Leeds was his likely destination – but Arthur has provided a short and blunt response confirming that will now not be the case.

Arthur shuts down Ese’ese reports

When asked about the suggestions that he could be set to sign for Leeds with immediate effect, Arthur was emphatic in saying: “Not at this stage.”

When pushed further, Arthur simply said: “He’s not coming at this stage, yeah.”

That would appear to suggest any move for Ese’ese would be for 2027, with Leeds unlikely to be able to make a financial package work for a player who is on marquee money at Hull FC as it stands.

However, there is still the prospect of any deal being revived for next season – but Arthur’s comments suggest Leeds may now be looking in a different direction.

But an imminent arrival could still be on the way.

Arthur teases new signing

There are ten days until Super League’s transfer deadline on August 21 – and Arthur dropped a strong hint on Tuesday morning when asked by Love Rugby League about the chance of a new signing.

“There could be some movements,” he said.

When asked if that was an in or an out, Arthur said: “We’ve got ten days as you say, so there could be something on the way for us.”

That would appear to back up Ian Blease’s recent comments that Leeds are working on a signing for the rest of this season to give them a boost in their pursuit of reaching the Super League Grand Final.”

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