Brad Arthur’s Leeds Rhinos’ exit one step closer as reported $5.5 million NRL deal set out

Leeds Rhinos could struggle to hold onto head coach Brad Arthur after reports of a huge NRL contract have emerged with the Australian once again linked to a return to his home country.

Arthur has made no secret of his desire to return to the NRL and in recent weeks he has even spoken on his family and how he feels like he is ‘neglecting Dad duties’.

The recent news that Perth have had their bid to become the 18th NRL team green lit has sparked more talk of an Arthur exit from Headingley, particularly with fresh reports from the Sydney Morning Herald which revealed the 50-year-old to have bought a property in Perth.

He was also quoted as saying: “Would I like the Perth job? Of course. I feel I have proven that I can build a club from the ground up, because that’s what we had to do when I started at Parramatta. But this is all premature … But if you’re asking me if I would be interested, then yes, I would be.”

Fresh reports have now suggested that he has been offered a whopping $1.1 million per year deal, potentially up to five years, giving him 5,500,000 reasons to leave Headingley when his contract expires at the end of the year.

Leeds Rhinos boss the ‘preferred’ candidate for NRL gig

That report has come from Code Sports with the outlet reported that an Australian Rugby League Commission representative held talks with Arthur to confirm him as the preferred candidate.

Perth won’t enter the NRL until 2027 and their inclusion hasn’t been 100% signed off on yet either, with Arthur noting that last week when asked about reports.

However, it’s largely expected that they will join and they’re looking for a coach who can oversee a project with the Leeds Rhinos man seemingly their number one target.

The multi-year deal that will reportedly be offered will be between three and five years at a rate of $1.1 million per season, making it worth a potential $5.5 million.

Arthur has told fans and the media that there is nothing to report regarding a potential exit, reiterating that any update will come from the club first but the outside noise continues to grow.

NRL clubs were informed on Thursday that the ARL Commission had lined a coach up for the 18th team but no name was disclosed.