The Penrith Panthers could be parting ways with prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard next year, with the Parramatta Eels hatching a plan to lure the international to the club.
NRL.com understands the Eels and Panthers have been in discussions about a potential release from the final five years of Campbell-Gillard's deal at Penrith.
While Campbell-Gillard hasn’t asked for a release from the Panthers, NRL.com understands Penrith have had a discussion in the past month with the former Kangaroos forward about his future.
Campbell-Gillard is on a deal worth more than $4 million over the next five years, a lot of money for a prop who they are currently using off the bench.
It’s understood the Panthers would be willing to chip in a portion of Campbell-Gillard’s contract if he was to attract interest from a rival club, however the length of the term could prove a stumbling block.
The Eels, who are also in discussions with Melbourne forward Christian Welch, are trying to bolster their front-row stocks.
The Panthers haven’t granted Campbell-Gillard formal permission to negotiate with rival clubs, however that could change over the next 48 hours.
Campbell-Gillard represented Australia on five occasions during the 2017 World Cup, going on to make his NSW State of Origin debut for NSW in 2018.
However, since breaking his jaw against the Roosters midway through last year, he has struggled to recapture his best form.
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary dropped him to the Canterbury Cup earlier in the year, and he has spent the past seven games coming off the bench since earning a recall to the NRL side.
Each club has been contacted by NRL.com on the matter but neither has made an official statement.
Replies
Good! He needs a change to revive the old RCG, and we can use him ...marriage made in footy heaven ;)
Would be stunned if they let him go. He's a player you can build a team around. Talented with a bit of leadership qualities. He along with Brown could form the heart of our forward pack for years to come.
His foot speed would compliment Junior & Browny in the middle third perfectly. To me would be the perfect upgrade from Peni Terepo.
Dream come true if Parra were to sign RCG and Christian Welsh. By all accounts we have a treasure chest available!
War chest should be used for Arrow imo. Welch and RCG are likely anyways but Arrow could define our team for many years to come.
Getting RCG and Welch and already having Paulo and N Brown + all our awesome backs on our books would be a huge persuasion for Arrow to come over to us as well. Getting this sorted out now/over-the-coming-few-months will make it so much easier to juggle our cap, particularly with more than 10 players still off contract next year. This is why our juniors coming through now are so critical to make all the above happen. And if it did, we would become = premiership favourites and if we got Semi, then number 1 favorite.
If all the above happens, it would be the greatest buying acquisition since Dymock, Pay, Smith, Mcracken, Aaron Raper, Adam Ritson.......
It opens up a premiership window real quick imo.
I Hate when Welch and RCG do sign. Max will be so upset at having NFI
I’m getting a Semi just reading that
I'd take him within a heartbeat - a new club will revive his career. Let's not forget he was close to the best prop in the world a few years ago.
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