The Tigers will allow Galvin to open negotiations with prospective teams before the November 1 free agency date, but with conditions.
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Wests Tigers to grant Galvin permission to negotiate with rival clubs
The Wests Tigers are poised to grant Lachlan Galvin permission to negotiate with rival clubs after a board meeting on Monday.
The Tigers will grant Galvin permission to open negotiations with prospective teams before the November 1 free agency date, but with conditions.
Sources with knowledge of the situation talking on the condition of anonymity due to confidentiality told the
Sydney Morning Herald one of those conditions will be reconsidering
the legal case against the club following allegations of bullying against Galvin.
The other condition set to be put on any formal permission to negotiate with rival teams will be an agreed transfer fee which is still being determined.
The Tigers board met on Monday and are keen to put the Galvin saga to bed but chief executive Shane Richardson wants a positive outcome for the club.
Richardson declined to comment when contacted on Wednesday morning.
There is a growing feeling within Tigers headquarters that Galvin could depart before June 30 if the conditions are met.
The Tigers are hopeful Galvin’s replacement, Latu Fainu, will be available to return from injury after the bye this weekend.
Galvin last month informed the club of his desire to depart at the end of his contract, with his manager Isaac Moses knocking back attempts from Richardson to offer the teenager a lucrative upgrade and extension offer worth close to $6 million.
Galvin is on the radar of Parramatta Eels, while speculation has grown in recent weeks about a potential move to the Bulldogs despite general manager Phil Gould publicly declaring that his club would not pursue his services.
“We are not involved in the Lachlan Galvin discussion and we won’t be involved in the Lachlan Galvin discussion,” Gould said. “We wish him all the best.”
The Bulldogs are yet to offer incumbent halfback Toby Sexton an extension and don’t appear in a hurry to lock down their No.7, who became a free agent last November.
The Eels haven’t hid their desire to lure Galvin to the Eels, the team he supported as a child.
Parramatta coach Jason Ryles sees Galvin as the ideal replacement for the Newcastle-bound Dylan Brown, who will join the Knights next year on a record $13 million deal over 10 years.
Tigers coach Benji Marshall was asked about Galvin’s future following his team’s loss to the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Sunday night. The 2005 premiership-winner refused to shed light on his thoughts on the matter.
“I do, but it’s not one I’m going to share,” Marshall said when asked if he had a view on what the board should do.
“That’s up to [the board] whatever happens there but I’m not going to comment on it to be honest.”
It was then put to the Tigers coach whether he expects clarity to come from the meeting.
“I’m sure you’ll find out, like you usually do,” he said.
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