The Wests Tigers have jumped ahead of Canberra in the race to sign Canterbury’s Nic Cotric.
Cotric, 23, is signed to the Bulldogs until the end of the 2023 season but has been given permission to negotiate with rivals where he could be granted an immediate release.
With a salary worth $650,000 per year, The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio says the Tigers are the only buyer that are willing to pay his full wages to get him out of Belmore.
“(The Tigers are a) big chance, because they’re the only club willing to pay his salary that he was getting at the Bulldogs,” Riccio said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“The Raiders won’t reach that $650,000 mark, but the Tigers are willing to go there with some additions payments being paid by the Bulldogs.
“It’ll be at centre, not on the wing, it’d be in the centres with the Wests Tigers.”
Tigers director of football Tim Sheens confirmed to Fox Sports that the club had met with Cotric, saying coach Michael Maguire likes what the flyer could add to the squad.
In response to those comments, club Chairman Lee Hagipantelis confirmed those talks and said discussions are ongoing with Cotric’s party.
“I saw the comments made publicly by our director of football Mr. Sheens,” Hagipantelis said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“He confirmed we have had discussions (with Nic) and the discussions continue
“So, there’s always a chance.”
Cotric began his career with the Raiders where he played 93 games between 2017 and 2020 before earning his move to Canterbury.
His season with the Bulldogs in 2021 was a down one with the winger scoring just three tries from 14 appearances.