NRL 2021 transfer news: Luke Thompson to remain at Bulldogs, rejects Wests Tigers, Cowboys
English enforcer Luke Thompson has made a big call on his future at the Bulldogs.Michael Carayannis
August 21, 2021 - 7:15PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
Wests Tigers are refusing to give up on securing Canterbury prop Luke Thompson despite Thompson indicating he wants to remain at Belmore next season.
The Tigers have missed out on a host of big names already this year, including Dale Finucane, Paul Vaughan and Tevita Pangai Junior but are determined the English international does not join the long-list of recent near misses.
Thompson has rejected the advances of the Cowboys and the Tigers.
Despite the interest – including a three-year offer from the Tigers – Thompson has opted to fulfil his commitments with the Bulldogs.
Thompson had meetings with Tigers coach Michael Maguire before telling the club he was deciding against joining them. While they have already been rejected, the Tigers have not ruled out making another play and potentially upping their deal.
The Cowboys were also told of Thompson’s reluctance to move.
While Thompson is staying at Canterbury for now, that situation is likely to change.
Rival clubs will now monitor the situation before deciding if they want to pick up a large chunk of the $1.4 million he has remaining on his two seasons at Canterbury.
The Bulldogs are expected to pitch in about $200,000 for Thompson to play elsewhere. The club is reluctant to let one of their best forwards go but are keen on having their roster better balanced next season.
Thompson’s big pay packet comes after joining the club midway through last season. Canterbury are already heavily invested in the forward pack with Tevita Pangai Jr and Paul Vaughan joining them next year alongside Josh Jackson and Adam Elliott, who are already on big deals.
The English prop made his return from the Bulldogs from suspension against the Knights on Saturday. The Tigers and Canterbury square off in the final round of the year.
Maguire said: “We seemed to get linked to most players which is nice. A player of (Thompson’s) calibre is someone we’d look at, but where that will find itself, time will tell.”
