Newcastle deny Tommy Makinson reports – but Golden Boot winner wants NRL switch in 2020
Newcastle coach Nathan Brown has silenced reports linking them with a move for Tommy Makinson, but the Golden Boot winner has a desire to play in the NRL in 2020.
The 27-year-old was spotted in Newcastle earlier this week, sparking speculation that the St Helens flyer could be on his way to the Knights.
But Newcastle coach Nathan Brown has silenced the rumours, while revealing that Makinson would like to make the switch from Super League to the NRL at the end of next season.
Brown said: “My family and Tommy’s family have a good relationship from my time back in England.
“We caught up for a catch-up and Tommy has expressed an interest in coming to the NRL and living in Australia.
“He has a number of clubs he’s looking at and he asked me for advice. That’s pretty much what it was.
“Tommy is definitely playing with St Helens next year. Tommy’s desire is to come out at the end of next year.”
Makinson became only the five Englishman to win the Golden Boot award when he picked it up at a dinner in Leeds last month.
The winger, who hails from Wigan, has caught the eye of several NRL clubs due to his impressive performances for England on the international stage.
And Brown admitted that if the Knights were looking for an outside-back, they would consider making a move for Makinson.
He added: “He’s not off-contract for a couple of years. For anyone who plays with a club in England and is a high talent like Tommy, the English clubs don’t let them go for free.
“There’s transfer fees and player swaps. There’s a lot of water to go under the bridge in those areas.
“We’ve just invested quite heavily in the outside-backs, so it’s not a position at this stage we are looking at.
“Would be interested in Tommy if we were looking at those positions? Certainly, he’s a terrific player but he’s got four or five clubs already interested in him.
“My advice to him would be to sit down with St Helens and organise something soon. The processes are long. He is a player and character any club would like to have.”