@Cairnstigers said in [Latrell Mitchell Contract Discussion](/post/1081283) said:
Valentine Holmes has decided to come home to Townsville leaving Latrell in the Dark
VALENTINE Holmes remains number one on the Cowboys wishlist despite club power brokers meeting with Latrell Mitchell on Monday.
Holmes has reportedly come to a decision on his future, ready to turn his back on his NFL dream to sign with the Cowboys.
The Townsville-born athlete has long been linked with a move to the Cowboys, reportedly shaking hands on a multi-year multi-million dollar deal earlier this year.
An opportunity with NFL side New York Jets put those ambitions on hold, but after spending a tough year in the trainign squad it appears Holmes has made up his mind.
It will strike a line through any deal with Mitchell as the club would not be able to afford to have both players on their books.
The Cowboys remain gun shy on the Holmes deal, with potential for an 11th hour change of heart, leading them to keep their options open with Mitchell.
Cowboys director of football Peter Parr was part of the Cowboys leadership group, which also included chairman Laurence Lancini and coach Paul Green, that met with Mitchell and his agent Wayde Rushton at the Watermark.
The Cowboys are adamant no offer was made to the star centre and no financial amounts had been discussed in terms of salary.
“He is in the top echelon of players in the competition and he has shown some interest in the Cowboys as a club,” Parr said.
“To us it made sense to sit down and have a discussion with him about his future and what he is thinking.
“The bottom line is we ran 14th last season and we have one of the better players interested in coming to our club. We don’t have anything to lose by having the discussion.
“The conversation centred around lifestyle, there was football, there was family. There was a whole range of topics discussed between him and Greeny. But it would be fair to say that needs to remain between Greeny and Latrell.”
While he believed the meeting was a positive one, Parr said both parties had plenty of thinking to do afterwards.
Mitchell would add plenty of strike power to a Cowboys backline that struggled to find points during the 2019 NRL season.
Recent recruit Esan Marsters has backed the club to sign Mitchell believing the Kangaroos centre would be a great addition to any roster.
Marsters has witnessed Mitchell’s devastating ability first hand standing opposite him when he produced a 10 out of 10 performance at the Sydney Cricket Ground last season. The former Tigers centre was left grasping at air several times as Mitchell scored three tries and laid on another two in a 26-point performance.
“I know what that is like, I have played against him before. I know what kind of player he is, if he comes to the Cowboys all the boys will be welcoming, I would be welcoming. It would be better to have him on your side rather than against you,” Marsters said.
“If he comes to our side, it is going to boost our backline and give us that little bit of X-factor. But there is a lot of talent in this team.
“There is obviously going to be challenges for spots. In saying that I think I just work hard and do what the coaches say, I can get picked for that right one. There is a lot of talent in this team at the moment, and anyone can get picked for that side.”
