If Nathan Cleary does indeed follow his father to the Wests Tigers in time for the 2020 season, NRL journalist Brent Read believes the move could kick off a chain of big deals involving some of the game's best young halves.
Cleary is reportedly on his way to the joint-venture club to play under his father, and Read spoke on Triple M about his mail surrounding Cleary.
“This week I was told Nathan Cleary is gone. He is going to the Wests Tigers,” Read told Triple M.
“They can’t make the full offer until November, but they’re lining up the ducks, they think he’s coming."
If Cleary does in fact head to the Tigers, it could see some of the game's young stars follow suit, namely Storm star Cameron Munster.
Munster is currently being courted by a number of Sydney clubs, however Read believes the Cowboys could also make a play for the 23-year-old.
“I spoke to someone today about him and there’s at least three Sydney clubs chasing Cameron Munster,” Read added.
“The Cowboys have got an interest in him and I suspect he’s rugby league’s next million dollar player.
“Melbourne are desperate to keep him but he may yet go to market and if he does, Melbourne has got a fight on its hands.”
Another player that could have his future decided by Cleary's movements is Luke Brooks, who currently holds the No. 7 jersey at the Tigers.
Read believes the Panthers could entertain a swap deal of sorts between the two clubs, with Cleary following his father and Brooks heading the other way to fill the hole left by Cleary.
“I think the Tigers at the moment are trying to get a deal done with Luke Brooks,” Read said.
“Brooks is in no rush to get it done because he wants to see what happens with Nathan Cleary and I wouldn’t be surprised if Penrith makes a run at Luke Brooks.”
“The interesting part is if (Cleary joins the Tigers) whether Penrith lets him go a year early and they look to get Luke Brooks across a year ahead of schedule.”
All three players are currently contracted until the end of the 2019 season.
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