Toronto to bid $5 million for Sonny Bill Williams

As reported the other day, Toronto Wolfpack owner David Argyle has confirmed the club are trying to sign Sonny Bill Williams.

The 33-year-old global superstar will play for the New Zealand All Blacks in the Rugby Union World Cup later this year before he was expected to return to Sydney Roosters.

However, Toronto’s mining billionaire owner Argyle has tabled a huge offer to Sonny Bill’s  agent, Khoder Nasser, to bring him to the Canadian club from 2020.

Fox Sports confirmed the pair met in the Middle East last year with the Wolfpack prepared to pay around $5 million for Williams, most of which would be exempt on the salary cap.

“We are working towards making Sonny Bill Williams a Wolfpack player for 2020.” Argyle told foxsports.com.au.

“We would love to have him join the Wolfpack family and we will pay whatever it takes to make that happen. The excitement he would bring to the sport of rugby league in this country would be incredible.

“Having someone of his talent join the Wolfpack would greatly raise the profile of the club, but also help move the game forward globally.

“Sonny is a phenomenal athlete. He is rugby’s LeBron James and we see his recruitment as bigger than when David Beckham joined LA Galaxy. He is box office and puts bums on seats.

“It may be one of his last seasons and I am sure that rugby fans – whether league or union – across North America will travel to Toronto to see a player of his quality represent the Wolfpack.”

It is believed Sonny Bill would sign an initial one-year deal with Toronto, who currently sit top of the Championship and are huge favourites to be promoted to Super League.

Should they be in the top flight for the 2020 season, the capture of Williams would undoubtedly bring plenty of publicity to Super League and boost the profile of the competition.