Connor Watson to sign big money deal with NRL rival

Connor Watson looks set to leave the Sydney Roosters at the end of the season, with the young gun reportedly signing with an NRL rival on a big money deal for 2018 and beyond.

Channel Seven is reporting that Watson has met with Wests Tigers coach Ivan Cleary and CEO Justin Pascoe and has agreed to a deal worth $500,000 a season starting next year.

Stuck behind a plethora of talent at the Roosters, Watson feels that the Wests Tigers are his best option for a starting role in the NRL.

Watson had hoped to snare the fullback position with the Roosters in 2018 but this changed when the club signed NSW Blues star James Tedesco.

Ironically, Watson could now be the man to replace Tedesco in Wests Tigers No.1 jersey.

The Newcastle Knights had hoped to lure the Central Coast junior back to the region but the Wests Tigers offer has exceeded what the Knights were willing to pay.