Former Super League halfback approached by huge NRL club

Former Super League halfback Mitchell Pearce has been linked with a sensational move to NRL club Parramatta Eels.

The news emerged after Mitchell Moses’ injury but it was said that the Eels never made a concrete offer for the former Catalans Dragons halfback.

That being said, Pearce himself has said that he received a phone call from the Eels about a move as the former Super League star disputed the suggestion that he approached them.

According to Wide World of Sport, when speaking on the Footy Talk podcast, he said: “It’s quite hilarious really … I got a phone call last week, I was just at home, [and] someone from around Parramatta was reaching out to see if I was keen to play.

“After the phone call, I didn’t think much of it until it flared up again, I kind of went about my business because playing football’s been the last thing on my mind. I’m happily retired.

“Obviously Parramatta’s reached out, there’s a story saying I’ve reached out to Parramatta so I don’t know what the go is there, which sort of took me back a bit because the last thing I’m doing is knocking on anyone’s door to play footy, I’m happily retired.

“Whatever’s going on over there at Parra, I’m not sure. I did get reached out to which I was taken back a bit, being a retired player and not having much training under my belt.”

Former Super League star reveals the truth about rumoured move

The former Super League star would go on to add: “That’s the honest truth. Obviously if I had shown interest they would’ve gone further … I’m not too sure of the situation there, obviously Mitch is out.

“To be honest I haven’t been following them that closely other than watching the footy each week. Obviously, they’re struggling for a bit of depth there but I would’ve thought I’d be the last option for them.”

Also on the podcast was another former Super League halfback in Todd Carney who said: “If I was a team struggling and I knew Mitch was in Australia and he hadn’t been on a six-month holiday, he’d probably be the first person I’d pick up a phone to and make the phone call and ask if he’d be interested.

“I’m sure there’d be a few clubs scratching their heads going, reckon we could get Mitch Pearce fit and ready for the middle of the year?

“But for me, the question is with Parra, they’ve got a young kid waiting in the wings that they’re looking to re-sign, I know Canberra’s sniffing about so it’s an interesting one if they’re not confident in him or don’t want to blood him because they know he’s going to go elsewhere but for Mitch, it’s bizarre.”