Best prop in the world’ headed to Belmore?
Paul Crawley, The Daily Telegraph
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January 17, 2020 5:11pm
Canterbury have emerged as outright favourites to land the prized signature of the Englishman rated the “best prop in the world”.
In what would be a massive boost for the rebuilding Bulldogs, St Helens hard man Luke Thompson is expected to make an announcement on his future in the coming days.
Gold Coast is the other club in the chase while the New Zealand Warriors have come in late and hard with a big offer.
Initially 11 NRL clubs expressed some interest in signing Thompson for the 2021 season but it is now down to three with the Bulldogs said to be leading the charge.
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Thompson with Titans coach Justin Holbrook after winning the Super League grand final last year. Photo: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
In the Titans’ favour is that Thompson also has
a connection with new coach Justin Holbrook from their time together at St Helens.
The talk is Thompson is set to earn in the vicinity of $700,000 a season which is massive money but understandable given teammate Alex Walmsley’s huge rap last year.
Walmsley declared that Thompson was the world’s best prop following a man of the match performance in the Super League grand final.
Thompson is only 24 but has already made more than 150 Super League appearances for St Helens.
He has also earned tremendous respect among his English Test teammates, with the Canberra Raiders’ Pommy connection in particular trying their hardest to get him to the Raiders.
Thompson looks ready for the step up to the NRL. Photo: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
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In the end Canberra simply didn’t have the salary cap space to match the offers elsewhere.
Thompson would be a huge acquisition for the Bulldogs who are trying to fight their way back into finals contention.
Although Thompson is contracted to St Helens for the 2020 Super League season, there has been some talk that he may come to Australia early.
St Helens have stated categorically that they won’t let that happen but it could possibly change if an NRL club was willing to cough up a significant transfer fee.
Although it is unlikely to eventuate regardless, it is worth noting that any money paid for a transfer fee is not included in the NRL salary cap.