LATEST
Tigers slap $165k transfer fee on Galvin to let him negotiate with rival clubs
SMH: The Wests Tigers will grant Lachlan Galvin permission to negotiate with rival clubs but will attach a transfer fee of $165,000 to his early release.
Tigers officials reached an agreement with Galvin’s management on Thursday that will allow the playmaker to open discussions with clubs about joining them before the June 30 transfer deadline.
The Tigers have demanded that all negotiations are based on the prerequisite that a $165,000 fee will be payable to the club for his release.
The Wests Tigers board met on Monday and agreed on the need to put the Galvin saga to bed, but chief executive Shane Richardson wanted a positive outcome for the club.
Galvin last month informed the Tigers of his desire to depart at the end of his contract, which runs until the end of 2026, with his manager Isaac Moses knocking back Richardson’s attempts to offer him a lucrative upgrade and extension offer worth close to $6 million.
Galvin is on the radar of the Parramatta Eels, while whispers about a move to the Bulldogs have grown louder in recent weeks despite a public declaration by general manager Phil Gould that his club would not pursue Galvin’s services.
“We are not involved in the Lachlan Galvin discussion and we won’t be involved in the Lachlan Galvin discussion,” Gould said. “We wish him all the best.”
The Bulldogs are yet to offer incumbent halfback Toby Sexton an extension and don’t appear in a hurry to lock down their No.7, who became a free agent last November.
Parramatta haven’t hidden their desire to lure Galvin, a childhood Eels supporter. Parramatta coach Jason Ryles sees Galvin as the ideal replacement for the Newcastle-bound Dylan Brown, who will join the Knights next year on
a record $13 million deal over 10 years.
“I made my [interest] clear a couple of weeks ago. That hasn’t changed, so we’ll wait and see what happens,” Ryles said.
“The rule is you can’t negotiate until they get permission to, so until that happens we’ll keep our position there. Lots of strange things happen in footy [though], but we’ll make sure we do the right thing with the NRL.”
It comes as Brisbane skipper Adam Reynolds confirmed he had received interest from the Tigers about playing on at the joint venture club next year if he was unable to strike a deal with the Broncos.
“Yes, there’s been interest from the Tigers, but no actual offer,” Reynolds said late on Thursday.
“I’ve always had a lot of time for Benji, and I spent a few years playing junior footy at Leichhardt. But I want to stress my main priority is getting a deal done in Brisbane. That’s where I want to be. And I’m confident we’ll get something sorted.
“If my future isn’t in Brisbane, then naturally I’d have to look elsewhere. It’s nice to know the Tigers have shown interest.”
The idea of Reynolds running the side and allowing Jarome Luai to revert to his old No. 6 role would be sure to excite Tigers fans.
