NRL halfback set for lucrative Super League deal

Catalans Dragons are plotting a three-year offer for Newcastle Knights halfback Mitchell Pearce worth over £1.5 million.

News Corp has revealed that Pearce would earn over £300,000 a year – the same money Catalans paid for fellow NRL star James Maloney.

The Knights, however, will not release Pearce for next season unless the club can secure a replacement halfback, with Pearce currently on holiday with discussions yet to have taken place.

If the Newcastle halfback is denied a move to the south of France in 2022, it remains to be seen whether Catalans would chase Pearce for 2023.

NRL legend Andrew Johns backed Pearce’s move to France when the possible transfer was first mooted this year.

“I think that‘d be a great opportunity for him,“ Johns told Channel 9.

“South of France, anonymous, weekends off, fly into wherever – it takes you half an hour to an hour to fly all over Europe.

“Less eyes on him, faster, more open game. I think if he decides to go, I think Catalans would be a great fit for him.”