Contract talks between Penrith and young gun Stephen Crichton continue to intensify.
Fox Sports reports that the 20 year-old has been offered a four-deal worth a total of $1.9 million, a contract that has been left undone but the Panthers are keen to get it done.
Crichton still has a year to run on his current deal, but with the November 1st deadline now passed, rival clubs can now approach and enquire about his availability in 2022 and beyond.
Despite this, the Panthers have remained diligent that Crichton will recommit to the club over the long term.
Crichton is currently on Origin duty, being named in the 27-man squad. However, he didnโt play for the Blues in game one last weekend, where they suffered an 18-14 loss to Queensland.
I cannot believe he was picked at centre ahead of Stephen Crichton from Penrith. Amazed.
— Mr_Brown* (@Mr_Brown__) November 4, 2020
Fox Sports have also reported that Crichton has also left his agent and is believed to sign with a relative, who is also a UFC agent.
A few days ago the Daily Telegraphย reported that Crichtonโs partner on the wing, Josh Mansour, was told by the Panthers to seek opportunities elsewhere.
Stephen Crichton will be thanking Josh Mansour for the rest of his days after setting up the 19 year old's first #NRL try.
๐บ Stream here: https://t.co/ewnAUpCe4a
๐ Live blog: https://t.co/fadfoKyBAu
๐ฑMatch Centre: https://t.co/HumE5mT65m pic.twitter.com/x7yGCpPi0U— Fox League (@FOXNRL) March 14, 2020
The 30-year old has been a mainstay in the Panthersโ team since his debut in 2012, playing 158 games across nine seasons.
This might have thrown a spanner in the works in the Panthers securing Crichton, considering how well the pair have worked together this year.
I would encourage Stephen Crichton and Jarome Luai to use this Josh Mansour case study and make the SMART play in the early years of their blossoming #NRL careers and Run with the Highest bidder whomever that may be ..Roosters / Canterbury / Broncos / Titans...loyalty is for mugs
— Citizen PV (@pyrmontvillage) November 2, 2020
Your citizen pv comments. What a load of old crap.
The Panthers gave Mansour the opportunity to actually play first grade, after Southโs dumped him. He wasnโt ever going to get the chance to play first grade except for them. At the time he was dumped by Southโs, he was planning to go & get a regular job.
They also re-signed him a couple of years ago , when heโd been out with repeated injuries for ages. Around that time he was also playing horrible football.
So itโs only thanks to Penrith that Mansour has been able to achieve as much as he has.
As for mentioning the Roosters. Theyโve been just wonderful with Angus Crichton & Flanagan.
In other stories itโs stated a 3 year contract extension, worth $1.9 million. Do you writers ever actually have a clue?