Eddie Hemmings links Bevan French with ‘$800,000 bid’ prior to signing new Wigan Warriors deal

The future of Bevan French is now secure – he will be a Wigan Warriors player for the next two years and potentially longer.

The Australian livewire has signed a two-year deal with the option of another two years after that, with Wigan sending a message out to the rest of Super League to watch out.

However, the contract saga has dragged on for a number of months with French reportedly the subject of intense interest from the NRL.

And, now former Sky Sports pundit Eddie Hemmings has reported that French could have earned over £400,000 if he had taken a deal in the Australian competition.

“It’s a massive boost for Wigan and Super League,” Hemmings said on The Last Tackle podcast.

“My old mate Stevo (Mike ‘Stevo’ Stephenson) gave me a tip four weeks ago that French was the recipient of an $800,000 bid from a few clubs in Australia which is about £400,000.

“Those reports might have been wide of the mark but he has signed on the dotted line at Wigan.”

On his new deal, French said: “I’m very happy to get it sorted. It’s been a long process, but I’ve got an opportunity to stick around and hopefully win some more silverware along the way.

“It was things outside of rugby that we had to get into place for this to happen so I’m very grateful it’s done now. My family was a big reason for going back to Australia. We’ve worked it out where my brother can come and spend some time over here.

“Looking after my brother first and foremost was the main priority and for him to come over and experience Rugby League, Wigan and the community, I’m really looking forward to creating some memories with him.

“It’s exciting times ahead. Looking at the squad it’s very exciting and I’ve really enjoyed my time here. The first couple of years were quite tough with things going on back home, Covid and the injury.”