Parramatta have reopened negotiations with South Sydney prop George Burgess about joining the club before the start of the 2019 season.
NRL.com reported last month that Burgess had knocked back an offer from the Eels to join the club before round one, however discussions with the prop’s management have been revived over the past few days.
It could have an impact on the Wests Tigers, who were given the green light by the NRL to try and sign Robert Jennings.
If Burgess departs to join the Eels, Jennings may remain at the Rabbitohs.
The Eels are desperate to add some size to their pack, identifying George Burgess as a potential starting prop alongside new recruit Junior Paulo.
It is understood Burgess’s preference is to remain at the Rabbitohs with his brothers Sam and Thomas, however he hasn’t been guaranteed a contract beyond the end of this season.
The Eels are willing to pay his full contract for the remainder of this season (believed to be around $400,000) as well offer him a two year deal on top of that worth around $700,000 a season to keep him at the club until the end of 2021.
Those closest to Burgess are encouraging him to take the deal on the table, with no guarantee of a contract of such value to come around in the next 12 months and also the Eels would have likely moved on to their next target.
As of Tuesday night, Burgess’s manager Chris Caisley was in close dialogue with Eels officials about the move.
Caisley is based in England, meaning all his dealings with the Eels and Rabbitohs have largely taken place at night due to the time difference.
The Eels are hopeful the English international can return to the type of form that led to him being touted as one of the best front-rowers in the game during South Sydney’s premiership charge in 2014.
Gutherson knocks back Eels deal
The Eels offered a contract extension to skipper Clint Gutherson late last year, however the Eels fullback declined to sign.
There’s a suggestion he is waiting to see what will happen with coach Brad Arthur and who takes his place should he not have his contract extended beyond this year.
Gutherson also believes he is worth more than what the Eels put on the table. It’s no secret Gutherson wasn’t at his best in 2018 coming off a second ACL injury, however the fullback has backed himself to rediscover his best form and in turn demand more than he would have if he signed the extension last year.
He is happy at the club, with both parties keen for the deal to be done. It’s just a matter of working out just how much that contract is worth.
Replies
He is not on $400k, that is the amount left for the remainder of this season. Souths have already been paying him since November so that would be a couple of hundred thousand payed already.
Yes. We want him this year, so we’ll take him for 400k and get him on a back ended deal which upgrades to 700k next year.
I would be throwing everything we have at George Burgess he is an outstanding prop and would be a very good addition for us. Seriously having him and Junior Paulo as our front rowers we wouldnt be going backwards thats for sure.
This is a waste of money and a signing. He doesn’t want to came to Parra. He is doing it for the money. We need players that wanna be here and have pride in the blue and gold. No other club is prepared to pay the money he wants.
Huge mistake
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaTZOrOyVdw
It’s 2019 money is a driving factor for anyone. They are still football players at the end of the day, G Burgess is exactly the prop we need.
They all want money, if you believe players go to a club to play with pride for the jersey than you probably still believe in the Easter bunny.
what did he say about the easter bunny+++++++++++++
We all do it for the money. I dont turn up to work every day because I love the company. I turn up for the money. Why should NRL players be any different?
I got news for you mate..... this is 2019 not 1979. And here’s another bit of food for though...you will get tomorrow what you got today if you do what you did yesterday. There ain’t no golden child willing to bleed blue and gold for less than the going rate.
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