The Newcastle Knights have joined the race to secure the prized signature of Sydney Rooster's halfback Mitchell Pearce.
It had been revealed that Pearce had been in deep discussions with the Manly Sea Eagles. With Cronk on board for the Roosters, Pearce will most likely walk out on the Bondi club.
Despite the media reports claiming that the Manly Sea Eagles will sign the 28-year-old, the Knights won't back down and will offer him a contract.
It's now a two-horse race for Pearce's signing.
Newcastle coach Nathan Brown admitted that if Pearce becomes available, he will chew up the salary cap to secure his services.
"Mitchell Pearce is the current NSW halfback and he’s an outstanding player,” Brown said.
“I think if he was to become available, we’d be silly as a club not to at least entertain the thought of trying to sit down and have a talk with him.
“We’ve made quite clear our desire to bring in an experienced half to work with Brock (Lamb) and Connor (Watson) and Kalyn (Ponga), and Mitchell Pearce is a player who certainly has had a very, very good career.
“He’d certainly be a player, who if he became available, we’d be mad not to try and have a conversation with him.”
With two years still running on his contract with the Roosters, Pearce will need to formally request a release.
Pearce is upset after he was told that he could be forced out of the starting side to make way for high-profile recruit Cooper Cronk.
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