Nelson Asofa-Solomona, a front-rower for the Melbourne Storm and a New Zealand international, has apparently grabbed the eye of a Sydney team for the upcoming season.
Asofa-Solomona, who was formerly thought to be among the finest props in the game, has struggled to be consistent this season, which has caused him to play a significant portion of the season in the NSW Cup.
The New Zealand international has a mutual option to extend his contract with the team until 2027, but he has been persistently linked to leaving the Storm this season.
Matt Tripp, the chairman of the club, was ultimately compelled to address the rumours pertaining to the massive entity and put an end to any hopes of his leaving right away.
Asofoa-Solomona’s future is being keenly watched by the Wests Tigers, according to News Corp reports, while Stefano Utoikamanu is still unsure of his plans.
Asofoa-Solomona would prefer to remain in Melbourne, but he hasn’t been able to establish himself in the starting lineup due to allegations that he is expensive—roughly $900,000 per season—and has fallen out of favour with club executives, according to the publication.
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA-MARCH 14: Stefano Utoikamanu of the Tigers in action during the Canberra Raiders vs. Wests Tigers round one NRL game, March 14, 2021, at GIO Stadium, Canberra, Australia. Image courtesy of Getty Images/Mark Nolan
The former NSW Blues representative, Utoikamanu, has been given a five-year contract extension worth approximately $800,000 per season, but he has not yet confirmed his future, even though the Wests Tigers would love to keep him.
The Tigers may decide to fully commit to Asofoa-Solomona, one of the top props in the league, in lieu of Utoikamanu, given that he is scheduled to meet with club officials this week.
Young player Lachlan Galvin pushed Utoikamanu to stay at Tigers with him, announcing that he will honour the remaining two years of his contract till the end of the 2026 season.
Galvin said News Corp., “I don’t want to be versing him next year.”
We mess about, and I tell him that we can turn this club around if we just stick here for a few more years. I don’t want to mark him on the opposite side.
Already in the wrestling room with him, I start to feel a little afraid. We want him here, and I want him here with me for as long as I am. We are attempting to stay in his ear 100% of the time.
“You’ve seen over the past two weeks how important he is to this team—he’s been killing it.” Thus, we desire him to be a Wests Tiger here.
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