The Wests Tigers are now firm favourites to sign Latrell Mitchell on a $4 million deal after the North Queensland Cowboys agreed to terms with Valentine Holmes.

Mitchell was in Townsville on Monday where he toured the club facilities and dined with officials as speculation intensified of a move interstate.

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Round 20

But on Tuesday night, the Courier Mail revealed the Cowboys were set to sign Holmes on a $1 million a season deal, effectively ruling them out of pursuing 22-year-old Mitchell due to salary cap constraints.

It leaves the Tigers, who last week publicly declared their interest in Mitchell, as the last remaining suitor for the talented centre.

“There’s no point in being coy about it,” Wests Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis said.

“Latrell is a huge asset to any organisation, a quality player, a quality gentleman on and off the field.

“He would bring an enormous amount of gravitas to a club like the Tigers, it would be a huge endorsement of the Tigers.”

According to Nine News, The Tigers have put a four-year, $4 million contract on the table which would make Mitchell the highest paid player at the club.

It is understood the Tigers want Mitchell to play fullback despite concerns from former players surrounding his fitness.

“You’ve got to be the fittest player on the field, you’ve got to be on the ball, on the move, 24/7 while you’re in that position. I don’t think Latrell is ready for that,” former NRL great Braith Anasta said.

“I think he’s just got to ice that centre position and play the full 80 minutes at the highest level, that’s what he’s got to do.”

The Sydney Roosters are all but resigned to losing Mitchell having pulled an $800,000 a season deal and told the NSW and Australian representative he is free to negotiate with other clubs.