We’re still in the early stages of this Super League season, but we’re already seeing some huge rumours about where players could be headed next season.
Moves have already happened this year, such as Tex Hoy to Castleford Tigers and Jack Broadbent’s loan switch to Hull KR, with Louis Senior and Corey Hall going the other direction.
However, ahead of the window in which clubs can officially begin negotiations for next year, reports have already linked a number of big names to other Super League clubs.
Here’s a run-down of the very biggest transfer stories floating around ahead of 2025.
The Super League deals already done, according to reports
Tommy Makinson – St Helens to Catalans Dragons
Credit: Mark Cosgrove/News Images
Modern-day St Helens legend, try-scoring hero and kicker extraordinaire Tommy Makinson could be switching Merseyside for Catalonia, according to reports over the past couple of months.
This one was first reported in January, long before the Super League season had even started, and has made waves across the rugby world ever since.
Makinson has been at St Helens since 2011, and has made over 300 appearances for Saints, with almost 200 tries in that time.
The fourth of his five Super League Grand Final victories was against the side he could be joining, a 12-10 victory over Els Dracs.
It’s hard to imagine one of the world’s best players of the past decade playing in anything but the iconic red ‘V’, but a two-year deal in Perpignan could well be on the cards.
Tom Davies – Catalans Dragons to Hull KR or St Helens
Credit: Sylvain Thomas/SWpix.com
The Makinson deal makes more sense when you take into account the fact that a key Catalans winger could be on the move as well.
Tom Davies has been at Catalans since 2020, but may not be for much longer.
The Hull Daily Mail has reported that Hull Kingston Rovers are looking to sign him, adding to their impressive list of players that can play on the wing, including Ryan Hall, Niall Evalds and Peta Hiku.
French publication L’Indépendant is now reporting that Davies has also been approached by St Helens, meaning it could be a Makinson-Davies straight-swap.
Tom Johnstone – Catalans Dragons to Wakefield Trinity
Credit: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
Another Tom that could be leaving Perpignan is Tom Johnstone, another of Catalans’ wingers.
He joined them from Wakefield in 2023 and enjoyed an excellent debut season, with the Dragons making it all the way to the Grand Final as he scored 27 tries along the way.
As originally reported by Rugby League Live, he could be returning to Wakefield Trinity after just two years away from the club.
He scored 87 tries in 115 league games for Trinity, and French publication L’Indépendant is reporting that he is in ‘advanced negotiations’ with the Championship club, who reportedly were in contact with him before the season even started.
He is out of contract at the end of the season, meaning Powell’s side could snap him up for the 2025 season, with their new millionaire owner Matt Ellis providing some backing.
Mike McMeeken – Catalans Dragons to Wakefield Trinity
Credit: Mark Cosgrove/News Images
Remarkably, Tom Johnstone could be joined in Wakefield by current teammate Mike McMeeken.
The England second-rower made his way though the ranks at London Broncos and joined the Dragons in 2020, after six seasons at Wheldon Road with Castleford.
As originally reported by The Yorkshire Post, he may also be on his way to Wakefield Trinity at the end of this season.
French publication L’Indépendant has reported that Trinity are in ‘advanced negotiations’ with the 6 foot 5 man.
McMeeken has been one of the competition’s best second-rowers for a number of years now, and came close to winning the Grand Final with both Castleford and Catalans as a key member of the squads.
He is also out-of-contract at the end of the year, and Trinity expect to be in Super League in 2025.
Matt Ellis will be looking to big names to consolidate their position in the Northern Hemisphere’s premier competition and add this to the fact that Catalans’ finances may be in a tough place next year: this looks like a deal that has legs.
George King – Hull KR to Castleford TigersÂ
Credit: Craig Thomas/News Images
Reports from LRL suggest that Super League clubs are on ‘red alert’, as George King has been offered to clubs around the league.
This comes despite his contract with Hull KR running until 2027.
Since signing for the Robins in 2020 from Wakefield, he has been an important part of the side, making almost 100 appearances, and played every game this season until injury.
He can play at both loose-forward and prop, and with extensive Super League experience, he’d be a huge coup for anyone that snaps him up.
Reportedly, his management have been contacting Super League clubs, meaning at least on the player’s side, there’s a willingness to leave, if the reports are true.
Whilst there have been no concrete rumours of Castleford Tigers being King’s destination, there has been enough talk swirling on social media, which coupled with King being left out of the 17 for KR’s win over Wigan and the fact Castleford have made it a habit to sign former Robins’ (Sam Wood, Corey Hall, Louis Senior, Luis Johnson, Rowan Milnes all joining for 2024), then perhaps The Jungle is King’s destination.
