With 26 days until kick-off, the Newcastle Knights have already signalled their intent for 2012, as they plan a $1 million dollar play for NSW forwards Kade Snowden and Tom Learoyd-Lahrs.
With 7 players off contract at the end of 2011, the Knights are keen to bring Snowden back to Newcastle with a $1 million carrot waving in front of him.
Whilst Snowden is the priority signing for the Knights, they are also chasing hard for Raiders and NSW prop, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, who enjoyed a stellar 2010.
Steve Burraston, the Knights Chief Executive has confirmed that his club have an interest in Snowden.
“He’s a local junior of ours who has spent a lot of time at the club, and we would always welcome back a player of his calibre,” Burraston said.
“And on Tom, he’s a talented footballer and more than likely we’ll be in the market for a strong marquee player next season, so we’ll be watching him closely.”
In a desperate bid to prevent him from going to the Knights however, the Sharks have tabled a hefty offer for the 24-year old, as they are desperate to retain him.
“Kade is a player we see as a future leader of the club,” Sharks coach Shane Flanagan said late last year.
“We’d love to have him in Sharks colours long term.”
Negotiations between the three parties has been going for quite some time now, with the Knights believed to have table a $350,000 a year offer, with the Sharks offering around the same amount.
A source close to the Cronulla prop said that the Sharks are fighting hard to retain Kade.
“Kade knows how good they have been to him also, and is aware of showing loyalty to the Sharks,” the source said.