Catalans Dragons look set to sign three overseas men

2021 Super League Grand Finalists the Catalans Dragons are building up to another storm at the Old Trafford showpiece event.

The French side have been linked with Mitchell Pearce for the past few months, with the Newcastle Knights halfback putting in a formal request to be released from his 2022 contract.

That move would be a straight swap for the outgoing James Maloney, who has left the Dragons after two seasons to join FC Lezignan in the Elite One Championship.

The Dragons, however, are determined to find quality to fill their remaining three quota spots.

“We’ve been mindful that we don’t want to just go and grab anything,” Catalans’ football manager, Alex Chan, told the West Australian of their search for Maloney’s replacement.

“We want to do our due diligence and make sure we will add to an existing group because of what’s available.

“We’re not just in the market to fill spots. There’s a connection with Steve McNamara – our head coach – they are really close from their history together at the Roosters.

“We’ve shown we are interested in him, but it comes down to whether Newcastle are prepared to let him go early.”

Chan and Catalans are hunting for new blood, with just Sam Kasiano, Dean Whare, Samisoni Langi and Josh Drinkwater taking up the quota spots.

“We’re probably looking for another strong middle with some size as well as an outside back,” Chan added.

“We’re lucky at the moment in the young crop we’ve got coming through, some of whom played for France in the Test against England on the weekend.

“We will continue to work hard for those boys to bring them up to the standard.”

“But for us, it’s always about adding value.”