DOGGIE NO LONGER IN THE WINDOW
LUKE Thompson has been taken off the open market with the Bulldogs telling rival NRL clubs that their $850,000 a year prop is no longer for sale.
In a move that will end speculation about the English forward’s future, Thompson has been told his place at Belmore is guaranteed for at least another two years.
Two of the club’s that were interested in singing Thompson have been told that he is no longer for sale.
“We were having a look at him,” said a rival NRL coach who asked not to be named.
“But we were told he is no longer on the market. I don’t think it was going to work out for them (the Bulldogs) so he is staying.”
Thompson was reportedly given permission to negotiate with rival clubs in August despite being signed until the end of 2023.
After having an extension request for 2024 and beyond knocked back, Thompson was told he would be released from the remaining two years of his deal if he was able to secure a long-term deal with another club.
Thompson attracted plenty of interest but none of the suitors were prepared to match his $850,000 a year salary at the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs officially took the “for sale” sign down when rival clubs began asking Canterbury to pay out a percentage of the deal.
With Thompson’s future now guaranteed and South Sydney centre Braidon Burns announced as the club’s latest recruit, the Bulldogs’ spending spree is all but over.