Wests Tigers are reportedly willing to pay a huge chunk of John Bateman’s contract in order to get him off their books. Bateman has been strongly linked with a move away from Wests this off-season, with a number of NRL clubs said to have been interested over the course of the last few months.
Manly Sea Eagles were keen but have now cooled their interest and that has seemingly cleared the path for South Sydney Rabbitohs to secure the England international. The Daily Telegraph reported yesterday that a deal could be completed in a matter of days, with Bateman set to link up with his former England coach.
However, the Sydney Morning Herald are claiming that the Tigers are willing to pay more than half of his remaining contract for the next two seasons to make the deal happen. The back-rower is reportedly earning $650,000 (£327,389) a season at Wests, and the club are said to be willing to pay him $350,000 (£176,286) a year to grease the wheels.
That would surely help Souths out as they look to add to their pack, with Bennett more than aware of the experience and leadership qualities the England international possesses. Bateman hasn’t returned to pre-season training with Wests just yet, but after wrangling between the club and the Rugby League Players’ Association, he is currently expected to return to the Tigers on December 21.
Whether he is still a Wests player by then remains to be seen, of course, with a move to Souths expected to progress.
Bateman has spent two years at the Tigers after joining the club from Wigan Warriors ahead of the 2023 season. The 31-year-old has made 32 NRL appearances in black and gold, but following reports of a falling out with head coach Benji Marshall in July, he was allowed to join Super League side Warrington Wolves for the remainder of the season. He made 10 outings under Sam Burgess but couldn’t help the club to the Grand Final.
