Leeds Rhinos are refusing to give up hope of re-signing their former captain Kallum Watkins from Salford Red Devils.
Salford made clubs, including Leeds, aware of Watkins’ availability when he declined to play in their Betfred Super League game at Wigan Warriors on March 30 and whilst the Rhinos spoke to Watkins and his agent, their offer was turned down by the Red Devils.
Rhinos’ prospects of taking the centre turned second-rower back to AMT Headingley seemed to be fading when he returned to training and played in last Friday’s Challenge Cup defeat at Catalans Dragons.
But, with Salford still under a sustainability cap imposed by the RFL following their well-publicised off-field problems, Leeds haven’t ended their interest and are hopeful the transfer could go through after they visit Watkins’ current club on Thursday when the Rhinos play the Red Devils.
Salford’s financial circumstances will be the determining factor and St Helens are also believed to be interested in the ex-England man.
Future of off-contract Leeds Rhinos quartet close to being resolved
Meanwhile, the future of Rhinos forwards James Bentley, James McDonnell, Morgan Gannon and Tom Holroyd is close to being decided.
The quartet are all in the final year of their contract and Leeds are optimistic about agreeing new deals, despite rival interest with Wigan Warriors understood to be keen on Holroyd and NRL outfit New Zealand Warriors chasing Gannon.
Leeds-born Bentley, 27, joined Rhinos from St Helens ahead of the 2022 season and has been one of the leading players in their pack this term, playing in all six Betfred Super League rounds so far.
McDonnell – like Bentley, an Ireland international second-rower – is in his third season at Leeds following a move from hometown club Wigan Warriors.
Spotted by then-coach Rohan Smith playing in the Championship on loan with Leigh, the 25-year-old has missed only six games since joining Leeds and was called into the England squad for last year’s mid-season Test against France, though he did not feature in the matchday 17.
Prop Holroyd – who has one England cap – and second-rower Gannon are both products of Leeds’ academy system, having joined them from the Siddal community club in Halifax and are among the club’s most prized assets.
Holroyd, 24, made his debut in 2018, with 21-year-old Gannon’s first appearance coming three years later.
Both have made a strong start to the current campaign, despite concussion issues last year which limited Holroyd to just six games and meant Gannon did not play at all.
It is still unknown if Brad Arthur will remain coach of Rhinos next year.
He is contracted to the end of this season and Rhinos are keen to keep him beyond that, but the former Parramatta Eels boss has made it clear he would like to return to the NRL – where his two sons play – if an opportunity arises. Talks are continuing between the club and coach and a decision has not yet been reached.
