Derek Beaumont challenges journalist to £1 million bet over the future of Leigh Leopards star

This weekend is going to be huge with Wigan Warriors meeting Hull KR at Leeds Rhinos’ Headingley stadium alongside a clash at Warrington Wolves’ Halliwell Jones Stadium between Leigh Leopards and St Helens in the Challenge Cup semi-finals.

It is a chance for Leigh to deliver on the huge claims made by owner Derek Beaumont before the start of the season which were frequently scoffed at.

Leigh sit second in the table above Super League and World Champions St Helens ahead of their huge semi-final which could be their biggest game since the 2017 Million Pound Game against Catalans Dragons.

Leigh have a chance at Wembley but sadly the narrative around the club has shifted towards a transfer saga around star man John Asiata after reports down under linked him with three NRL clubs.

The loose-forward has been an exceptional signing since joining the club last year and has gone on to skipper the side.

He could even lead them to silverware they way things are currently going at the club which is truly amazing given he was playing in the Championship a year ago with the then Leigh Centurions.

According to the notorious Mole down under Asiata has attracted offers from three NRL clubs in recent weeks.

“There is one club in Queensland and two in New South Wales that are interested in John,” his manager Pierre Tannous told Wide World of Sports.

“His form in England has been very good but he feels it is time to come home.”

However, Leigh Leopards owner Derek Beaumont has firmly shut down these suggestions on social media saying:

“John is contracted and I wouldn’t accept a million quid for him. Anyone reading anything around players leaving I can guarantee you it will be nonsense as nobody is for sale!”

He also revealed that talks are on going between themselves and Asiata about extending:

“John going nowhere loves it at our club not for sale not for any price! Talking with John to extend certainly not leave!”

However, the Mole has hit back at Beaumont’s comments with the Leigh owner branding British reports of this news as “clickbait.”

He even teased Beaumont that Asiata will definitely be playing in Australia in a year’s time:

“Just remember that tweet when Asiata is playing back in the NRL next year – he’s talking to 3 clubs now!”

Following this Beaumont challenged the Mole to £1 million bet.

He replied: “Wanna bet me a million quid mole?”

He also stated in an interaction with a fan:

“He isn’t talking to any club and can’t as is contracted and wouldn’t it’s not his style he is a class bloke! Pure paper talk! And by the way have the NRL dropped that rule of having to have had a vaccine that seems to have disappeared? They shit on him he ain’t going back to that!”