Stefano Utoikamanu saga takes fresh twist as Bulldogs enter race to sign Wests Tigers prop

The Canterbury Bulldogs have entered the race for wantaway Wests Tigers prop Stefano Utoikamanu as a four-way battle ensues for the young forward's signature. Utoikamanu is currently a free agent after clauses around finals and Origin appearances meant he could negotiate with rivals.

The Storm have been widely tipped to be where the 24-year-old lands, with Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy meeting with Utoikamanu for the second time over the weekend but it is far from clear cut. The Tigers have tabled a five-year, $4 million offer in an attempt to lock down their hot prospect but it is expected that it won't be enough as the prop reportedly wants to join a team in the hunt for an NRL premiership, which the Tigers appear out of the running for in the immediate future.

Earlier this month the Dragons pulled out of the race to sign Utoikamanu, while the Raiders also withdrew interest in the gun prop amid concerns around his hefty price tag. The Dolphins are reportedly interested in the prop's services, however, not only do they now how to compete with Melbourne and the Tigers for his signature but the Bulldogs have also joined the race at the 11th hour to try and snag him. The Daily Telegraph’s Dean Ritchie reports Melbourne are extremely confident he will sign with them from 2025 but Belmore are also quietly confident they can tempt him.

“The mail I’ve got today is that the Melbourne Storm are incredibly confident that they will get him,’ Ritchie said on NRL 360 on Tuesday. “He’s told the Melbourne Storm he wants to play under Craig Bellamy. I’m sure though he’s telling every club that he’s negotiating with that he wants to go there. It’s a bit misleading.

“I think there is one guarantee is that he will not be at Concord next year and if I was a betting man, I’d throw him in the Melbourne system from 2025.” And on Wednesday Ritchie reported the Bulldogs had joined the race. “The Bulldogs haven’t yet tabled an offer yet for Utoikamanu but interest at Belmore is high,” he wrote. “There is a strong belief that Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo can extract the best from Utoikamanu. Aged 24, Utoikamanu has told friends he wants to join a club he believes can challenge for a premiership.”

RELATED:

• John Bateman's bust up with Benji revealed as Englishman heads home

• Brisbane Broncos cop big blow as assistant coach confirms exit

• Ugly truth about Reece Walsh as Roosters rocked by massive title blow

Craig Bellamy eager to secure services of Stefano Utoikamanu

After speaking to Utoikamanu last week, Bellamy admitted the Tigers prop would be a "good fit". “I think Stefano would be a good fit for any team,” Bellamy told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“He’s a talented kid, big and strong, he certainly has a lot of talent, and looks like he’s got a good work ethic as well. He’s played Origin, he’s only young as well, so he’s got a lot of improvement. He’s a local kid at the Tigers. That will make it harder for him to move. I think every team would love to have him – and we’re no different.”