South Sydney are set to meet Sam Walker after the Rabbitohs were approached by a third party indicating the Roosters halfback would be open to joining the club, according to CODE Sports.
The Rabbitohs were made aware by Walker’s management that he would consider a move to the Roosters’ fiercest rivals, Fox Sports reported on Monday evening, citing CODE Sports. Souths are set to hold discussions with Walker and his management.
Neither club nor Walker has publicly commented on the report.
Can Souths afford him?
Fox Sports reported it was unclear whether South Sydney have the salary cap space to fit Walker in. Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett played down the idea when Walker was first linked to the club late last month.
“Look, we can’t afford Sam Walker,” Bennett told CODE. “We’ve got a salary cap like everyone else and we would have to let a player go to fit Sam Walker in and we’re not going to do that. I’m happy with the squad I’ve got.”
Read more: Payne Haas Denies Maguire Rift in First Media Session at Souths
Souths have just added Payne Haas, are in the race for Jack Bostock and hope to extend Latrell Mitchell before next season, Fox Sports reported.
How Walker became a free agent
The Roosters said on 26 October that their offer of a contract extension beyond the 2027 season had been withdrawn “after the parties were unable to reach an agreement on terms”. Walker remains contracted to the Roosters until the end of 2027.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson later said there was no way back. “Nick was pretty clear. We were pretty clear in those negotiations. We knew what we wanted and, no, that’s it. It’s done there,” Robinson told Channel Seven, AAP reported.
Read more: PNG Chiefs Eye Sam Walker After Missing Out on Nathan Cleary
Walker has other options. PNG Chiefs coach Willie Peters said Walker would be “someone we look at” if he was genuinely interested in moving to Port Moresby, The Sydney Morning Herald reported, while Walker’s manager Clinton Schifcofske told CODE Sports his client would not rule out a switch to rugby union, Fox Sports reported.
“Sam wants to wait until after the World Cup to work out what he wants to do,” Schifcofske told the Herald. “He’s got a fair bit to weigh up.”
More News
- Sam Walker Open to Rugby Switch for Wallabies, Reports Say
- PNG Chiefs Eye Sam Walker After Missing Out on Nathan Cleary
- Sam Walker’s Roosters Contract Offer Withdrawn Before Free Agency
- Roosters Rule Out Nathan Cleary Pursuit to Replace Sam Walker
- Payne Haas Denies Maguire Rift in First Media Session at Souths
