The movement continues at Belmore, although now it’s incoming rather than outgoing.
The Bulldogs have been heavily linked to off-contract Sharks star Shaun Johnson and according to The Australian’s Brent Read, a “resolution” to Johnson’s contract saga is very close.
“This is getting to the pointy end. The Shaun Johnson saga, I reckon we might have a resolution next week or so,” Read told Triple M’s Rush Hour with MG.
“Privately, I believe his camp is very bullish about him joining Canterbury, I’m told that they’re telling people that a deal is close to being done there.
“I’ve spoken to Canterbury and they have spoken to his management. They’ve asked his management to go away and come back to them in the next week with what Shaun will want. “Initially the asking price for Shaun was two years for $1.6 million. It’s now dropped, I believe there’s talk it’s two years for $1 million.
“Obviously we’ve had movement at Canterbury with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak leaving. That’s freed up a lot of salary cap money. They’re still paying him for next year, he was on over $800,000, they’re paying a portion of that but it does clear up a lot of money.
“I think we’ll have a decision on Shaun Johnson if not over the weekend, then early next week from Canterbury and once Canterbury press the go button I expect a deal to be done pretty quickly.
“I reckon the Johnson saga is close to a climax.”