Leeds Rhinos linked with sensational Kallum Watkins swoop

Just days after he scored a brace against them, it is being reported that Leeds Rhinos are keen on reacquiring the services of Salford Red Devils captain Kallum Watkins.

Those reports emerged in the Daily Mirror where it was revealed that Leeds Rhinos were “understood to be keen” on a move for Watkins, a former captain at the Headingley club.

Currently, Watkins is skippering Salford after being appointed to the role ahead of the 2023 season and since then his game has gone to new levels.

Watkins earned Dream Team honours in 2023 and he’s currently having a stellar season in 2024, playing in every single game so far as Salford upset the odds and look set to make the Super League playoffs.

That’s more than can be said for Leeds Rhinos who linger four points outside the top six and face a tough gauntlet of remaining fixtures to try and break into the playoffs.

Losing at the weekend to a Watkins-led Salford severely dented Leeds Rhinos hopes but perhaps also gave them an insight into what they were missing as it’s now emerged they’re “keen” on signing him for 2025.

Could Leeds Rhinos really sign Kallum Watkins?

Kallum Watkins came through at Leeds Rhinos with the 33-year-old initially starting out in the centres, but also featuring on the wing, before his move to Salford saw him transition into the second row.

During his time at Headingley, he played 259 times and scored 132 tries, leaving in 2019 for a shot in the NRL before returning to Super League a year later with current side Salford.

Watkins picked up six Super League titles during his time with Leeds Rhinos but has had no such taste of silverware since moving to Salford, the closest he came was in the 2020 Challenge Cup Final defeat to former club Leeds.

However, given the state of the two clubs, it would seem far more likely that he’d pick up silverware at Salford than with a move back to Headingley, a move that plenty of former Salford players have made of late.

Ahead of the 2024 season, Leeds Rhinos signed Brodie Croft and Andy Ackers from Salford whilst they have also acquired Sporting Director Ian Blease recently, leading to strong Paul Rowley speculation too.

Perhaps a key reason why Leeds Rhinos could be keen on Kallum Watkins is because it has been confirmed that Rhyse Martin will leave the club whilst James Donaldson is also out of contract.