KANGAROOS prop David Klemmer is poised to ask the Canterbury Bulldogs for a release to sign one of the richest contracts in rugby league history with the Newcastle Knights.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal Klemmer met with Bulldogs chief executive Andrew Hill last week about the possibility of him being freed from the final two seasons of his four-year contract.
Asked about the meeting with Klemmer, Hill said: “We don’t comment on rumours and speculation involving Dave or any other players.
“Dave has been at the Dogs for nearly a decade and is a much-valued member of our club.
“Obviously, we’d like him to be at the club for a lot longer.”
This is the third time in 12 months Klemmer has approached Canterbury to talk about an early release.
He met Hill on his own without a manager. Another Bulldogs official revealed Klemmer had been “unsettled” for some time.
There is talk he has an out clause in that some old third-party agreements have fallen over.
Under NRL anti-poaching laws, the Knights cannot officially open negotiations with Klemmer until November next year.
However, it is understood a third party has been involved in talks behind the scenes.
Newcastle are prepared to pay a whopping $4.6 million in a four-year deal.
It is double what he is earning at Belmore and the front-rower is reportedly keen to explore a more relaxed lifestyle in Newcastle.
Desperate to increase their forward strength, the Knights recently met with Broncos front-rowers Tevita Pangai Jr and Matt Lodge. Both knocked them back and hence the move for Klemmer.
They need the forward momentum to allow Kalyn Ponga and Mitchell Pearce to work their magic.
With the coaching merry-go-round finally settled, clubs are now preparing for a player market frenzy.
Even players under contract such as Klemmer will be targeted across the game.
Wayne Bennett and Anthony Seibold plan to be coaching at their current clubs next season, despite long-term recruitment goals at their new clubs.
Replies
It's sad when Newcastle is a much better destination than us.
1.1 million a season...
He's one of the best props in the game and they have a shitload of coin to spend, I heard they were well over 2m still under the cap for next season. So they can afford to splurge when they are paying the best young talent in the game chump change at 600k a season. They also landed Ramien, who looks a future rep player.
Mean while we are paying massive overs for washed up blokes like Jennings, but but but but but our cap isn't fucked according to you lol.
Thanks Tom
The club is just in a tight spot trying to find money for Hayne.
At the end of 2019 once Norman & Jennings are no longer on back ended deals and likely no longer at our club is our cap going to be fucked? No.
Short term fucked yes, long term no.
So the cap being fucked for next year doesn't count??? Next season being a right off for you is fine??
So we finish last in 2018, were told the players were to blame, not the coach but then only go out and buy 3 players for 2019?
So what changes in 2019 if nothing truly changes?
Who has been held accountable for the disaster that was 2018?
Matagi? Vave? Edwards? Willliams?
Excuses excuses, like the club many fans are just full of them.
I’m sorry, I refuse to write off next season when we are still 4 months from the start, we’ve seen in the past how 1 fortunes can change for teams in the space of an off season.
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