After countless false starts, the NRL is about to get it’s first player “loan” arrangement.

Melbourne hooker Harry Grant is set to be traded for Wests Tigers centre Paul Momirovski in time for them to be available for their new clubs in round three. However, there is one last twist befitting a saga that has dragged on for months.

Momirovski is keen to return to the Tigers at the end of the current season and his management is holding out for a contract extension before agreeing to the swap. The Tigers have been given until Friday to sign a new two-year deal for Momirovski or risk the swap once again unravelling.

Complicating the issue is the fact the coronavirus outbreak has clouded the market worth of all players given they may need to take a pay cut if the 2020 competition is contracted or cancelled altogether. However, the parties are expected to strike an arrangement.