The Sea Eagles are reportedly set to sign former Roosters premiership winner Siosiua Taukeiaho after his NRL return with the Bulldogs fell over.
The Daily Telegraph reported Manly are closing in on signing Taukeiaho after he was blocked form joining the Bulldogs and priced out of returning to the Chooks.
The Sea Eagles are set to offer Taukeiaho an NRL lifeline after discussions around signing the premiership winning forward.
Taukeiaho had informal talks with the Roosters about a return, but Manly are keen to add some experience to their forward pack after being linked with Tigers back-rower John Bateman.
Canterbury had also been keen on Taukeiaho after prolonged discussions with the veteran, who was even undergoing rehabilitation at the Bulldogs in recent weeks.
However, Manly are now in the box sear with the club likely to sign Taukeiaho on a train-and-trial deal and then into a top 30 spot, similar to how Nathan Brown joined the Sea Eagles.
Manly are still interested in Bateman, but those talks seem to have stalled due to his hefty asking price.
The 32-year-old Taukeiaho last played in the NRL for the Roosters in 2022 and almost joined the Bulldogs for 2024, but failed a medical on his ongoing knee problem.
Taukeiaho played for Catalans last year and was cut by the French based club in July.
Taukeiaho was sacked by the Catalans after he skipped a training session to attend a music concert alongside fellow former NRL player Jayden Nikorima.
The Bulldogs tried again to get Taukeiaho to play out the rest of the 2024 season but the deal was blocked by the NRL given it was after the June 30 transfer window.
Taukeiaho has scored 13 tries in 169 NRL games for the Roosters and Warriors and has played 16 Tests for Tonga and New Zealand.
He only managed 10 games for Catalans in 2023 before his knee injury.
GUTHERSON SET TO JOIN DRAGONS AFTER EELS RELEASE
Clint Gutherson has reportedly been granted an early release by the Parramatta Eels as he closes in on a three-year deal with the Dragons.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald and The Daily Telegraph, the Eels board met on Wednesday night and agreed to grant the captain’s request to leave the club effective immediately.
It comes after Gutherson was given permission to negotiate with rivals for the 2026 season by incoming coach Jason Ryles.
While the Eels are yet to confirm the release, it is expected he will join Shane Flanagan and the Dragons for 2025.
Another club is understood to have expressed interest in the 30-year-old but it is the Dragons who are firmly in the box seat to land his signature.
Flanagan, head of football Ben Haran and Gutherson’s agent Sam Ayoub met on Wednesday in a bid to reach an agreement on a deal to join the Red V.
The Eels will reportedly not contribute toward Gutherson’s salary, which is estimated at about $850,000 a season.
It comes after the Dragons cut ties with skipper Ben Hunt on Wednesday.
It is another significant move by Ryles who has already moved on veteran forward Reagan Campbell-Gillard who joined Des Hasler and the Titans
Damien Cook and Valentine Holmes will also arrive at the Dragons’ pre-season training in the coming weeks, having signed to join Flanagan’s rebuild.
Tyrell Sloan looks set to be ousted from the fullback slot, however the young gun could take up a spot on the wing.
“I think he’d bring leadership. He’s been the captain of a big, powerful club like the Dragons are,” Flanagan previously said of Gutherson to News Corp.
“He’s still a quality player. He played last year, at the back end of the year with broken ribs and knee injury.
“I think he’d be great for Tyrell Sloan. For Tyrell to see the way that he trains and prepares and plays, it would be great for him as well.’’
