Reports down under believe John Bateman’s return to the NRL is in its “final stages.”
That’s according to the Daily Telegraph who have revealed that the Wests Tigers are content with paying the $250,000 fee – £140,000 – to bring the English forward back to the NRL after two seasons back with the Wigan Warriors.
The second-rower is said to be on the road to agreeing a three-year deal with the Wests Tigers as new coach Tim Sheems looks to revamp their pack and get them back into play-off contention.
Sheens reportedly used the World Cup as means to have a meeting with Bateman whilst he was in England working with Italy.
He also reportedly had a meeting with another transfer target in the shape of Mitchell Moses of the Parramatta Eels who is set to play for Lebanon against Australia this weekend in the quarter-finals.
Initially, the Wests Tigers were said to be dissuaded by the fee Wigan Warriors wanted them to pay to acquire the services of the former Canberra Raiders players, however perhaps the form of Bateman in the last two World Cup games – in which he picked up three vital assists – has forced their hand.
It’s said that Sheens has been the one propelling this pursuit of the 2019 Dally M second-row of the year who in his last stint in the NRL received huge praise.
It is believed he will revitalise the Tigers and according to the Daily Telegraph a deal is close to being agreed now that the transfer fee stumbling block has been dealt with.