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Cook chasing a $4m payday to stay at Souths
South Sydney are in danger of losing Damien Cook after the superstar hooker opted to test his value on the open market.
Cook headlines a list of marquee names that are able to talk with clubs from November 1, including Valentine Holmes, Luke Brooks, Cooper Cronk, Shaun Johnson, Tariq Sims, Dylan Napa, Clint Gutherson, Corey Norman and Dylan Walker. Rival clubs can now begin approaching them about the 2020 season as attention shifts from the coaching transfer market to that of the players.
Wrestling with his options: Rabbitohs hooker Damien Cook will test his worth on the open market.
Wrestling with his options: Rabbitohs hooker Damien Cook will test his worth on the open market.AAP
Cook’s management has been in negotiations with Souths about the prospect of a four-year extension. Given Cook is already contracted until the end of 2019, such a deal would effectively keep the NSW and Australian No.9 at Redfern for five years, until the end of 2023.
It is believed the 27-year-old is seeking about $4 million over the next five years to remain a Rabbitoh, taking into account that he is on a modest salary for next season, given his status as a representative star.
However, the parties have yet to reach an agreement, despite months of negotiations, leaving Cook free to gauge the level of interest elsewhere. There is likely to be no shortage of suitors after a breakout season in which he was a standout for NSW, earned Dally M hooker of the year honours and replaced Cameron Smith as the Kangaroos dummy half.
“With the coaching merry-go-round just settling down, Damien is in no rush to make a decision,” said Cook’s manager, Mario Tartak.
“We’re in dialogue with Souths, but nothing has been finalised. There aren’t many quality hookers on the open market and we’re already aware of considerable interest in him.
“He is really enjoying his time at South Sydney, but we’ll also see what other options there are for him.”
South Sydney are in danger of losing Damien Cook after the superstar hooker opted to test his value on the open market.
Cook headlines a list of marquee names that are able to talk with clubs from November 1, including Valentine Holmes, Luke Brooks, Cooper Cronk, Shaun Johnson, Tariq Sims, Dylan Napa, Clint Gutherson, Corey Norman and Dylan Walker. Rival clubs can now begin approaching them about the 2020 season as attention shifts from the coaching transfer market to that of the players.
Wrestling with his options: Rabbitohs hooker Damien Cook will test his worth on the open market.
Wrestling with his options: Rabbitohs hooker Damien Cook will test his worth on the open market.AAP
Cook’s management has been in negotiations with Souths about the prospect of a four-year extension. Given Cook is already contracted until the end of 2019, such a deal would effectively keep the NSW and Australian No.9 at Redfern for five years, until the end of 2023.
It is believed the 27-year-old is seeking about $4 million over the next five years to remain a Rabbitoh, taking into account that he is on a modest salary for next season, given his status as a representative star.
However, the parties have yet to reach an agreement, despite months of negotiations, leaving Cook free to gauge the level of interest elsewhere. There is likely to be no shortage of suitors after a breakout season in which he was a standout for NSW, earned Dally M hooker of the year honours and replaced Cameron Smith as the Kangaroos dummy half.
“With the coaching merry-go-round just settling down, Damien is in no rush to make a decision,” said Cook’s manager, Mario Tartak.
“We’re in dialogue with Souths, but nothing has been finalised. There aren’t many quality hookers on the open market and we’re already aware of considerable interest in him.
“He is really enjoying his time at South Sydney, but we’ll also see what other options there are for him.”
