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Ex-St Helens star Luke Thompson’s immediate future secured following Super League link

Former St Helens forward Luke Thompson is said to have been nearing a move to the Super League where his career began.

Thompson is currently in the UK after being granted compassionate leave by his current NRL club Canterbury Bulldogs.

General Manager of the Bulldogs – the club where Thompson is on the books – Phil Gould revealed that the hulking forward had returned for a ‘mystery family issue.’

“Luke has not seen his family for a couple of years and we felt it important he returns home now during this difficult time,” Gould told the Daily Mail.

“He is to return to Australia on July 8th, but much will depend on how things play out back home. Some things in life are just far more important than football.”

The Englishman is on big bucks at the Canterbury Bulldogs and there has been talk over the past year that the Canterbury Bulldogs would be open to letting the 26-year-old go in a bid to ease salary cap pressure, with Viliame Kikau and Reed Mahoney already on their way to Canterbury next season.

Previously, the Daily Telegraph had revealed that Melbourne Storm were sniffing round the Super League Grand Final winner, with Storm losing veteran prop Jesse Bromwich to new franchising system the Dolphins as they begin their NRL life in 2023.

Thompson was reportedly offered to the Wests Tigers before the season started, but he previously said he was determined to stay at Belmore until the end of his contract.

Thompson has been one of the bright sparks for Canterbury since joining and has earned himself a reputation Down Under for bulldozing runs and big hits in defence.

However, Serious About Rugby League understands that the ex-Saints man will not be at Canterbury in 2023, with a move to Super League now likely given his return to the country.

Leeds Rhinos will have to do some salary cap jiggling in order to fit him on their books, whilst there is always a chance of a renaissance with old club Saints.

Big spenders Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves and Hull FC will likely be casting their eye, too.

That being said, Gould was asked on Twitter: “Hey Gus, say if Luke Thompson does head back home, is there a chance that we could do player swap for someone from over there.”

Gould replied: “That won’t be happening.”

Whether Gould’s response was to Thompson heading back home or a potential player swap does not bode well for Super League teams if they want to get a deal done as he looks set to potentially stay at Canterbury for 2022, though an exit for 2023 is definitely on the cards.

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