Luke Thompson offered to former Grand Final winners in shock development

If there is one story that has been doing the rounds for the past few months, it’s that of Canterbury Bulldogs forward Luke Thompson seemingly heading towards the exit.

After initially being reluctant to get the COVID-19 vaccination, Thompson was then subject to pressure from the Canterbury hierarchy because of his lucrative contract that new director of rugby Phil ‘Gus’ Gould has been keen to get off the books.

In fact, the Bulldogs have been so eager to free up around $800,000 of Thompson’s contract, that the former St Helens forward was even shopped to 2020 NRL Grand Final winners Melbourne Storm.

That was, in part, due to powerhouse prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona’s refusal to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

After Melbourne club officials considered an approach from a third party representing Thompson, they decided to reject any such deal due to the fact that they felt the money being asked for was extortionate.

That proposition by the third party was, according to the Daily Telegraph, made in mid-November and would have seen the 26-year-old enforce pen a two-year deal.

Wests Tigers have also thought to have been interested in Thompson and were offered his services earlier in the year, only for the ex-Saint to reject any advances.