Sharks have confirmed that they cannot afford Barba at this point in time. They gave up waiting for him and are committing to Holmes instead.
https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/08/11...lanagan-says-no-room-for-ben-barba-at-sharks/
Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan has closed the door on a potential homecoming for Ben Barba, claiming the club has no room in the salary cap for the 2012 Dally M Medal winner.
An integral part of the Sharks' 2016 premiership-winning team, Barba was released from English Super League team St Helens on Friday, sparking talk that he could return to the shire.
Speaking on the eve of his team's crucial road clash with NRL titleholders Melbourne, Flanagan said re-acquiring the 29-year-old was not a possibility because of financial reasons, plus the fact the club has Queensland origin rep Valentine Holmes capably filling the fullback role.
"He's an important player but at the moment Benny Barba is off the market for us. Originally we were of the understanding that his club wouldn't be letting him go and I know one thing - that money doesn't grow on trees out here in the Shire. He's a great player and he's part of the club's history and
if we could get him back we'd get him back, but it's not going to be possible with the salary cap and the position we're in at the moment.
We've decided that we want to invest in Val long-term here at the club and that's bubbling away behind the scenes and hopefully that comes off and Val will be our No.1."