Ex-St Helens prop Luke Thompson reportedly ‘shopped’ as massive deal revealed

Luke Thompson was one of the greatest prop forwards in Super League when he plied his trade with St Helens.

A move to the NRL with the Canterbury Bulldogs midway through the 2020 season was expected to kickstart his career to further heights.

However, despite impressing in the blue and white jersey, Thompson – for some reason – just isn’t as revered Down Under as he is in the UK.

And, ever since moving, the England international has been linked with other clubs, including the Wests Tigers which Fox Sports continued to report for a lot of the off-season.

Having said that, Thompson has put his head down and continued to work hard at Canterbury, outlining his desire to stay until the end of his deal which runs out at the end of 2023.

With the Daily Telegraph revealing its ‘100 NRL Rich List’ which details the highest-paid players in the Australian competition, it’s been revealed that Thompson’s wage is $750,000 – or  just over £440,000 in English pounds.

So, when Thompson returned to England to take care of a private matter, the idea that Super League clubs could begin to afford his contract was perhaps far-fetched.

Despite that, the Daily Telegraph and its readers believe that Thompson does not justify that price tag.

The Daily Telegraph stated about Thompson: “Proving a disastrous buy for Canterbury with the English international managing 10, 15 and 12 games respectively over the past three seasons. Despite his immense talent, the investment doesn’t justify the reward, which is why Thompson is consistently being shopped by the Dogs to rival clubs. He still has one-year remaining on his contract for 2023.”

And, when Daily Telegraph readers were asked whether the deal is ‘spot on’, ‘lucky boy’ or ‘bargain’, 96% of those asked chose ‘lucky boy’.

The hulking forward was greatly appreciated in Super League and it would be brilliant to see him take it to rival sides in the World Cup at the end of the year.