Wayne Bennett's staggering confession about Latrell Mitchell
Incoming Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett has dropped his biggest hint yet about interest in signing Latrell Mitchell, although one key admission from the master coach could make that task difficult.
Mitchell's deal with the Rabbitohs runs until the end of the 2023 season, with the Bunnies no doubt keen to extend the superstar fullback's deal.
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If the 25-year-old's future with the Rabbitohs is not sorted by November 1, he is free to talk to rival clubs and field offers for the 2024 season.
News Corp reports that the Dolphins are considering a three-year, $4 million offer for Mitchell that would put him alongside Nathan Cleary as the NRL's biggest earner.
Bennett - who will coach the NRL's newest team when they debut in the competition in 2023 - admits that if Mitchell is available, then he would be keen to sign the superstar.
“I haven’t had talks with Latrell, but if he is on the open market in November, then yes I’m interested,” he told News Corp.
“He has been negotiating with South Sydney and they might do a deal before he becomes a free agent.
“Right now, he isn’t on the market.
“If Latrell does go to the open market, there will be 16 other clubs chasing him and we will be one of them.”
Bennett knows Mitchell well, having coached the superstar fullback during a successful spell at the Rabbitohs.
However, Bennett and the Dolphins' obvious interest in signing Melbourne Storm playmaker Cameron Munster, could complicate any potential deal for Mitchell.
“Under the salary cap, we can’t afford Munster and another guy of similar value like Latrell,” Bennett said.
“We can only have one marquee player.
“Munster is our priority signing, but if Latrell is available in November, I will be keen to talk to him.”
Latrell Mitchell 'can't be second choice'
When told that Munster was the priority signing for the Dolphins, Mitchell shot his former coach a cheeky response.
“I am second choice Wayne, am I?” Mitchell asked.
“I can’t be second choice.
“I leave that (negotiations) up to my managers and Blake Solly (Rabbitohs CEO) to talk about.”
Discussing the situation one NRL 360 on Tuesday night, co-host Paul Kent noted that while Mitchell didn't take kindly to being regarded as a back-up, he did not rule out a move to the Dolphins.
“He doesn’t want to run second fiddle to Munster, but he didn’t deny an interest there,” Kent said.
“Do you think this is a ploy by the Dolphins to put pressure on Munster to sign quickly?”
Co-host Braith Anasta replied: “I get that feeling. I do get the feeling that could be the case.
“Either way, what Wayne is doing is putting pressure on Cameron’s decision, and also on Latrell’s decision, and Souths will have to pay more Latrell now because there’s interest from the Dolphins.
“If the Dolphins miss out on Cameron, they’ll go Latrell.”
Ansata is also Munster's manager and admitted on Tuesday night's show that the Melbourne Storm were “back in the frame” after making an "impressive" new offer to retain his player.
with agencies
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