The transfer fee Wigan Warriors reportedly want for John Bateman

Yesterday, it was revealed that Wigan Warriors’ John Bateman had been the subject of interest from a surprise destination.

That destination was the Wests Tigers who have been trying to adapt their roster in a bid to inspire some kind of change at Concord following a dismal season so far.

Of course, Wigan do not want to let go one of their main strike players go with such a lengthy time on his contract so, according to Fox Sports, they are holding out for an offer of £200,000 – or $350,000 which is $150,000 more than what the Canberra Raiders paid for Bateman back in 2018.

The England international has already dallied with the idea of a career in the NRL, having performed impressively for the Canberra Raiders in a short stay Down Under when he was awarded the Dally M Back Rower of the Year in 2019 – the year in which the Green Machine made the Grand Final.

Bateman departed Canberra for Wigan at the end of the 2020 season, signing a four-year deal with the Warriors, meaning he is still under contract until the end of 2024 – which could be a major obstacle in Wests’ potential hunt for the forward, as well as the fact that Wigan just do not want to let him go.

Tigers director of football Tim Sheens has confirmed the Tigers have made the approach in a bid to lure the 28-year-old back to Australia for a second time after a successful spell in the capital first time around.

However, Bateman left Canberra in the first place because he wanted to be nearer home with his partner, having left his daughter back in the UK.

And, with a small child, it may be unlikely that Bateman will want to up sticks again with a young family especially with a new cleaning business, too.