REPORTS: Barba to join North Queensland in 2019

Former Dally M winner and premiership player Ben Barba is set to be back in the NRL next year.

“Ben Barba will be in Cowboys colours in 2019,” Courier Mail league reporter Pete Badel said.

Barba's current club, St Helens, has reportedly accepted the Cowboys' offer as he is still contracted to St Helens for another season.

“They are in the final process, St Helens his current employer and the Cowboys, of formalising a transfer fee,” he stated.

“Now my information is that St Helens have verbally agreed to the amount that has been submitted by the Cowboys.”

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One problem that could be in Barba's way is the NRL's Integrity Unit, since he tested positive for cocaine just four days after the Sharks' grand final victory.

Barba was handed his second strike and suspended for 12 games as well as getting released from his contract.

Badel believes the Integrity Unit will accept his return since Barba completed his suspension in the UK.

“That paperwork will go to the Integrity Unit and my information is that the NRL Integrity Unit has given Ben Barba the green-light to return to the NRL next year," Badel said.

“He served that ban in the Super League in the UK, so the NRL Integrity Unit they’ve got no issues.

“Now the Cowboys will finalise the deal in the next two weeks.”

Barba has dominated in the UK with his team being on top of the standings as he leads the Man of Steel market for the competition's best player.