St George Illawarra are understood to have requested the services of Tigers utility Moses Mbye via a mid-season move to Kogarah.
As reported byย The Sydney Morning Herald'sย Michael Chammas, the Dragons and Mbye have already held discussions over a move for next season, with the Saints now keen to lure the 27-year-old to the Red V in the coming weeks.
Mbye was granted permission by the Tigers in March to assess his options elsewhere from the 2022 season, with the former Maroons back expressing some interest in returning to his home state.
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โIโm from Queensland so a return home has some appeal for me,โ Mbye told The Daily Telegraphย last month.
โI havenโt spoken to the Cowboys formally but I wonโt say no to them or the Broncos.
โIf the Cowboys come to me, Iโm more than happy to speak to them and weigh up whatโs a good opportunity to play to my potential again.
โI will see there the dominoes fall in the next few months.
โIf the Cowboys or Broncos wanted me this year or next, Iโd consider it.โ
The Dragons are now the frontrunner to sign the former Bulldog, but are understood to be keen on landing Mbye's signature in the coming weeks as opposed to waiting out the remainder of the season.
The Heraldย reports that the Tigers are keen to hold onto Mbye for the foreseeable future, with his versatility offering as a key asset to coach Michael Maguire.
Mbye started at five-eighth in the Tigers' 36-18 win over Newcastle during Magic Round, with Adam Doueihi manning the centres alongside Joseph Leilua.
Michael Maguireโs call to shift Adam Doueihi from five-eighth to the centres was maligned but it turned out to be a masterstroke. Great to see Moses Mbye rejuvenate as a half, Luke Brooks fire and Doueihi thrive, and still set up a try with a grubber, in the centres.#NRL
— Zachary Gates (@_zacharygates) May 14, 2021
Friday's spot in the starting lineup was just the third time this season Mbye has featured in the 13, holding down spots in the No.6 and No.4 jumpers the past fortnight after coming off the pine in the seven rounds prior.
Getting rid of Moses at 950k a season would be a great move by the tigers.
Iโd ask to swap Mbye for Brayden Williame who seems to be stuck behind the many talented outside backs at the dragons.
Tigers get a decent centre/wing for depth which they need and clear a bunch of cap space by getting rid of Mbye.
He won’t join the Dragons unless the Tigers pay some of his salary. If it eventuates it could lead to the Red V tapping Corey Norman on the shoulder as well.
Dragons seem in such an odd position.
They acquired McQuire who the broncos and cowboys didnโt want. They now want Mosss Mbye who the tigers donโt really want. They have Hunt and Norman two halves which not many teams really want also. Their hooker McCullogh wasnโt wanted at the struggling broncos.
Tyson Frizzell left, Trent Merrin retired mid season, arguably their best player Cam McInnes signed away for next season and is out injured for this year, they let young guns Tristan Sailor, Jai Feild and Jason Saab all walk and now look at them.
Comfortably sitting at 6th over Manly, Raiders, Titans, Knights and Sharks.