Canterbury playmaker Kieran Foran could join best mate Mitchell Pearce at Newcastle as the Knights enter the race for the out-of-favour Bulldog, per The Daily Telegraph.
Following the news that Foran declined a deal from the Bulldogs that would see his payload drop, the Knights join Wests Tigers as rival clubs begin to hunt the 30-year-old.
Foran was believed to be considering a one-year renewal at Belmore after enduring a season mostly positioned on the sidelines, but may look to indulge in offers from several rival suitors.
The Bulldogs are reported to have tabled a $400,000, one-year deal for their veteran playmaker, who has since knocked back the reduced payload.
“The first conversations are always a little more challenging,” Bulldogs CEO Andrew Hill said.
“And no doubt we are aware that some clubs will be looking at Kieran after those first conversations. We will continue to talk to Kieran and his agent in the coming weeks.”
If Canterbury are reluctant to offer a greater deal to Foran, the Knights are set to pounce - in hope of reuniting schoolboy mates Pearce and Foran.
Knights recruitment manager Alex Mckinnon denied any ongoing discussions but said the club would be looking into a profile similar to Foran.
McKinnon added the club's current salary cap pressure may restrict any potential move for Foran.
“At the moment we don’t have the money for that,” McKinnon said.
“Obviously we would love it, but I don’t think we have the room to see someone like Foran in a Knights jersey.”
Foran could join the Knights if a similar figure to that of the Bulldogs latest offer is put on the table by Newcastle, with a multi-year deal a likely sweetener for Foran.
“We have some interest,” Hill said.
“But we are waiting to see what Kieran wants to do.”
Goran teaming up with Pearce and Ponga plus the arrival of Tyson Frizzel next year should make them a top 4 team and title contenders but at what cost?
Having Ponga and 1 and Foran and Pearce in the halves means Connor Watson, Kurt Mann and young Tex Hoy would all probably want to leave to find playing time.
Watson is a solid utility player and good mate of Ponga so he might stay, but Kurt Mann lately has been in terrific form and Hoy would have plenty of interest at only 20 years old.
I like the idea of Foran joining the Knights I think Pearce reduces his work load and means he’s less likely to get injured and his defence in the halves along with Frizzel joining would make them a lot stronger too.
I think Kieran Foran returning to Manly and playing with Daly Cherry-Evans again should be an option. Foran and Daly formed one of the best halves combo and went to a couple Grand Finals together. His old coach and good friend Dez Hasler has returned to Manly aswell. Sell off either Dylan Walker or Moses Suli in order to get Foran and have Walker or Suli in the centres. With Suli signed for 550k next season and Foran at 400k that’s freeing up 150k. That money can be spent replacing Joel Thompson who is leaving to the UK.