Stars at Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves, Leigh Leopards and St Helens have all been linked with NRL moves whilst Hull FC star Jake Clifford is headed to North Queensland Cowboys and Salford Red Devils are hoping to keep Brodie Croft through his long contract.
There are a number of Leeds stars being linked with a huge NRL move in 2024. Blake Austin recently said on the JBK Show that Wests Tigers could “call” him as they hunt for a halfback.
His halfback partner meanwhile Aidan Sezer has been linked with a move to Wests Tigers for 2024.
This has lately been reported by Phil Rothfield of the Daily Telegraph. Now another star has emerged as a potential NRL target in the shape of James Bentley.
Ireland international caught the focus of the NRL media when he reportedly had a coming together with Victor Radley during the World Cup.
Bentley is coming to the end of his contract at present.
Speaking on Sky Sports earlier this year, Jon Wilkin believes he could leave Headingley at the end of the year.
“It’s not necessarily that he’s a great pick-up for other teams but I just think that he signed from St Helens for Leeds at the peak of his powers, he was in exceptional form,” Wilkin said on Sky Sports.
“I just think that since he’s gone to Leeds it’s really not gone that well for him, he’s had a number of disciplinary issues and some injuries so maybe his market value isn’t the £125,000 that we’ve estimated but I sense an opportunity for a team.
“If you want a competitor, you need an element of grit, resilience and determination in your team, a strong and reliable back-rower then I think James Bentley could be a steal for somebody.
“I don’t think he’s going to command the price that he did when he went from St Helens to Leeds but there’s certain teams in this competition who will relish a James Bentley in their team.”
He also tipped two surprise potential suitors for him in the shape of rivals Huddersfield Giants and Wigan Warriors.
The Warriors are set to lose Kai Pearce-Paul in 2024 whilst the future of Chris McQueen is unclear.
Wilkin said:
“I think he leaves Headingley for a Huddersfield or a Wigan, that gritty sort of culture built on defence then he’s your man.”
However, the Mole of Wide World of Sports has reported that the Leeds star is now of interest of several NRL clubs because of his no nonsense approach.
