HULL KR: Clinton move comes closer
Rovers have made no secret of the fact the prop has been on their radar for sometime and Justin Morgan’s interest will again be sparked after Clinton expressed a desire to leave the NRL.
Clinton is out of contract with the Broncos at the end of 2010 and is concerned a deal for 2011 and beyond will not materialise after struggling for consistency at the Broncos.
Keen to secure his future, Clinton now seems set of taking up one of several offers in Super League, with Rovers keen to take the player immediately for the 2010 season.
The 27-year-old is Brisbane's highest-paid forward on £152,000 a season and the Broncos will be happy to have a sizeable amount of their cap made available.
Morgan is chasing a replacement prop after releasing Nick Fozzard and Makali Aizue, with Clinton topping his list of targets.
"He’s (Clinton) been on our radar for a little while," said Morgan.
"We’ve been after a front rower and if he did become available we’d look at it."
Despite having a year left to run on his current deal with Brisbane, it is understood the Broncos would be happy to release Clinton early.
And Brisbane chief executive Bruno Cullen has said the club will consider releasing Clinton if they believed it is in the forward's best interests.
"I've spoken to Joel's manager and he asked if Joel got a good deal going forward, would we consider letting him go," Cullen said.
"We've said, like we have in the past with numerous players, that we'd certainly consider it. We don't like holding people back.
"Joel is being sought after by overseas clubs. We haven't spoken about an extension with Joel (for 2011). He's got a year to go and his future beyond that at the Broncos is unknown at this stage."
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