Aug 3rd, 2018

Aug 3rd, 2018

Star New South Wales half back Nathan Cleary is reportedly close to a move that will reunite him with his father at the Wests Tigers.

Speaking on Triple M, NRL reporter Brent Read has said that Cleary is all but a certainty to join the Tigers in 2020.

“This week I was told Nathan Cleary is gone. He is going to the Wests Tigers,” Read said.

“They can’t make the full offer until November, but they’re lining up the ducks, they think he’s coming."

Read suggested that if Cleary does indeed move to the Wests Tigers, it could set off a potential chain-reaction involving several of the league’s top halves, namely Melbourne’s Cameron Munster.

(AAP) Cameron Munster is likely to attract offers in excess of $1 million on the open market (AAP)

Munster has been one of the league’s form players in the post-Origin segment of the season and Read suggested that the Storm could face an uphill battle to retain the Queensland Origin star.

“I spoke to someone today about him and there’s at least three Sydney clubs chasing Cameron Munster,” Read said.

“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.”

(AAP) Cleary joining the Tigers could see Luke Brooks go to Penrith (AAP)

Meanwhile, speculation of Cleary’s potential arrival has put the Tigers’ current half back Luke Brooks’ future in doubt.

The 23-year-old Brooks has enjoyed a rejuvenated season alongside veteran Benji Marshall, and Read suggested that Brooks could replace Cleary at the Panthers.

“I think the Tigers at the moment are trying to get a deal done with Luke Brooks,” he 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.”