St Helens contract stance revealed as Paul Wellens outlines ‘discussions’ with key man

St Helens are keen to see Matt Whitley stick around at the Totally Wicked Stadium beyond the end of the season. That’s according to Paul Wellens, who has given an update on Whitley’s future and where both parties stand with discussions ongoing.

The back-rower is coming to the end of the two-year deal he signed with St Helens when he made the move from Catalans Dragons ahead of the 2024 season. The move saw Whitley link up with his boyhood club and he’s made 37 appearances for the Saints since, with 15 coming this season.

He’s also grabbed himself five tries this season, while he has underlined his value on numerous occasions by filling in at centre when injuries have occurred. As such, he’s a man the Merseyside outfit are keen to keep hold of and Wellens has confirmed that talks have taken place with the 29-year-old about a new deal.

“Obviously discussions are still ongoing but I know that Matt Whitley is very keen to continue to stay with us and we’re very keen for that to happen to,” Wellens said when asked by Serious About RL about the back-rower’s contract situation. “We’re very much of the same thinking there and we just need to get things finalised.”

St Helens’ contract situation

Whitley is one of a raft of St Helens players coming to the end of their deals this season and some of those have already sorted their futures elsewhere. Morgan Knowles will join up with NRL side Dolphins at the end of the season and that one has been confirmed by both clubs.

James Bell and Joe Batchelor will be making the move to Hull FC, although their moves have not been confirmed by the clubs.

Curtis Sironen, Konrad Hurrell, Moses Mbye and Agnatius Paasi are also on that list of players in the final months of their current deal alongside Jon Bennison, Jake Wingfield, Jake Burns, Tee Ritson and Dayon Sambou.