The reports that John Bateman could be headed to Wests Tigers in 2023 won’t go away.
The Tigers are said to be happy to pay $250,000 to Wigan Warriors to get Bateman through the door.
Bateman previously starred in the NRL with the Canberra Raiders prior to returning to Wigan where he played alongside Jackson Hastings who has just left the Tigers for a move to Newcastle Knights.
Hastings had previously been described as “the fall guy” in Wests’ chase of Bateman due to the fact the two “aren’t the best of friends” according to reports down under.
However, the other man involved in the swap deal which sent Hastings to the Knights could be the latest piece of the “jigsaw puzzle” to get Bateman to the Tigers,
That’s according to SEN radio who said: “I’m still hearing that Wests Tigers are all about pursuing John Bateman who is managed by the same manager as David Klemmer.
“That should all work out nicely. The jigsaw puzzle should come together.”
So, David Klemmer who has just joined the Tigers and has the same manager as Bateman could help pave the way for Bateman to follow.
It is being reported by the Daily Telegraph that Bateman is even preparing to put his house in England up for sale.