Ryan Brierley has been the subject of a number of bids during the early days and weeks of the off-season, however the Scotland international is now closing in on a new contract with his current club Salford Red Devils per reports.
Brierley had a standout year with the Red Devils and has firmly established himself among Super League’s best full-backs, offering both a dangerous attacking threat whilst also boasting solid defensive capabilities. His role within the Salford side has seen him become one of the club’s most integral players however that form hasn’t gone unnoticed with rival clubs.
It was initially reported by Rugby League Live that the Scotland international had been subject to a bid from a fellow Super League side, something that Sky Sports’ Jenna Brooks confirmed earlier this week. Brooks even went on to report that there had been a second bid for Brierley, with the Red Devils once again knocking back that offer.
The latest twist in the matter once again comes from Brooks who now reports that the full-back is likely to stay with Salford, a solution that pleases both player and club with Brooks claiming neither having wanted to split initially.
Brooks posted on social media: “Hearing Ryan Brierley and Salford are close to agreeing a new contract. It was never Ryan’s intention to leave, neither was it Salford’s to sell, positive news for @SalfordDevils!”
It’s a welcome change given that Salford have continued to be labelled as a ‘selling club’ of late with the major transfers of Brodie Croft and Andy Ackers to Leeds Rhinos, the pair joining the Headingley club in a deal worth a reported £300,000. Paul Rowley’s side had also seen rising star Tyler Dupree leave during the season for an undisclosed fee to Wigan Warriors, with Warriors’ prop Brad Singleton moving the other way.
Hearing Ryan Brierley and Salford are close to agreeing a new contract. It was never Ryan’s intention to leave, neither was it Salford’s to sell, positive news for @SalfordDevils !
— Jenna Brooks (@JennaBrooks) November 2, 2023
The ability to keep Brierley therefore is a huge boost for the side who will now have plenty of cash to splash on recruitment for the upcoming season in which they will aim to return to the playoffs, having just missed out in 2023 when they finished seventh.
So far the Red Devils have acquired former Leeds Rhinos centre Nene Macdonald on a four year deal whilst just yesterday they announced the signing of former St Helens man Matty Foster.
Paul Rowley’s side still have some work to do in re-building their spine following the departure of Croft and Ackers but this reported retention of Brierley is a major building block for the upcoming season.
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