Paper Talk: Leeds to sign Prior, Halifax keen on Frawley & Warrington’s Tuilagi bid
Transfer talk continues in this week’s trade newspapers.
Leeds to sign Prior
Leeds Rhinos are hoping to finalise a deal to bring Cronulla Sharks forward Matt Prior to the club this week, report League Express.
The club have offloaded Nathaniel Peteru, Brett Ferres and Brad Singleton in recent weeks to free up salary cap space, with Singleton joining Toronto Wolfpack, according to League Express.
Halifax keen on Huddersfield playmaker
Huddersfield Giants are clearing the way for the signing of Aidan Sezer by letting Matt Frawley depart to Halifax, report League Weekly.
Australian playmaker Frawley made 15 appearances for the Giants last season but will play the 2020 campaign with Halifax, according to League Weekly.
Leigh to retain fans favourite
Leigh Centurions are close to securing a new contract for Gregg McNally after confirming 18 members of their 2020 squad last week, report League Express.
The Centurions confirmed 18 members of their squad for 2020 last week, including the new signings of Danny Addy, Matty Wildie, Callum Field, Nick Glohe, Ryan Ince, Nathan Mason and Ben Hellewell. Ireland international McNally was linked with a move away from the club but is now set to remain at the Leigh Sports Village next year, according to League Express.
Warrington hopeful Murdoch-Masila will stay
Warrington Wolves chief executive Karl Fitzpatrick is confident the club will keep Ben Murdoch-Masila out of the clutches of NRL clubs as talks over a new deal continue, report League Weekly.
The Tonga international is off-contract with the Wolves at the end of 2020. Fitzpatrick told League Weekly: “His agent has confirmed a number of NRL clubs have expressed an interest, but Ben’s not engaged with any of those, he’s a very loyal guy and hopefully he’ll want to continue with us beyond 2020.”
Toulouse to snub Summer Bash
Net year’s Summer Bash could be missing two teams as Toulouse Olympique prepare to stage their own event that weekend, report League Express.
The French club are set to be absent from Bloomfield Road in 2020, with Toulouse opting for their own mini ‘Magique Bash’ at their new Stade Ernest Wallon home, according to League Express.
Warrington made Tuilagi bid
Manu Tuilagi remains a major target for Toronto Wolfpack – but the Leicester Tigers centre almost moved to Super League earlier this year with Warrington Wolves, report League Weekly.
Tuilagi was on Warrington’s wish-list before he decided to sign a new deal with Leicester until June 2021. Warrington chief executive Karl Fitzpatrick told League Weekly: “When it didn’t happen with Manu, we signed Luther Burrell and are hopeful he can enjoy a big season in 2020.”
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