Man who broke English hearts set for move as current club unlikely to pay huge fee to keep him

One of the best players in the world right now is Stephen Crichton and he is stirring up plenty of interest.

Twice a hero to Penrith Panthers as they went on to win back-to-back Grand Finals with Crichton scoring the winner in the 2021 decider.

He was then Samoa’s hero in the Rugby League World Cup when his Golden Point drop goal broke English hearts in the semi-finals prior to scoring in the final against Australia.

However, now in the final year of his deal at Penrith, rival clubs can negotiate with him.

A curveball in all of this is the fact he has a desire to play fullback, a role Canterbury need to fill and subsequently they are chasing Crichton who it could be difficult for Penrith to keep as they have to give improved deals to their stars squeezing out others.

Nathan Cleary has been given a million dollar deal and today the club extended Brian To’o’s deal.

The contract extension will see the two-time premiership player remain in Panthers colours until at least the end of the 2027 season.

This could squeeze him out especially as the Daily Telegraph reports that he wants in excess of $700,000 which is a figure only The Dolphins, led by former England boss Wayne Bennett and former St Helens boss Kristian Woolf wanting him to play fullback for them which is what Phil Gould wants from Crichton at Canterbury Bulldogs with the club also willing to pay the fee.