Newcastle Knights’ recruitment manager Clint Zammit has had his say on the rumours linking Mitchell Pearce with a move to Super League – with either the Catalans Dragons or Wigan Warriors.
Zammit is adamant that the veteran halfback will see out his contract with the Knights, which lasts until the end of next season.
Pearce has been attracting attention from rival clubs such as Canterbury Bulldogs, Canberra Raiders and Wests Tigers, but Super League sides Catalans and Wigan have also grown fond of the playmaker in recent days.
The 31-year-old already had to take a pay cut to stay at Newcastle next season and, despite outlining his desire to finish his career in the NRL with the Knights, a lucrative, longer contract may influence Pearce to shift hemispheres.
However, Zammit has rubbished such reports.
“Nothing along the lines of an early release has been discussed by us at all, not once, and there wouldn’t really be a discussion anyway,” Zammit said.
“We wouldn’t be releasing him. He’s contracted next year and he’ll be our halfback next year.
“Mitchell hasn’t brought it up, we haven’t brought it up. He’s such an important part of our team for this year and the next.
“No club has got in contact with us about it either, if there is interest there it hasn’t got to that point, but as I’ve said we wouldn’t entertain it.”
“We’ll get through this year, this finals series and the pre-season and then we’ll see how he’s going.”
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