can't see this happening as Carney wants to stay with Sharks, but this is a rumours thread
not like a manager to leak details to the media about alleged interest in some of his players in an attempt to force their prices up is it ?
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...and-feleti-mateo/story-e6frexpr-1226609526401
Todd Carney deal central to Dragons attempt to recruit Joel Thompson, Mitchell Aubusson and Feleti Mateo
James Phelps
The Sunday Telegraph
March 31, 2013 12:00AM
ST GEORGE Illawarra and Cronulla are set for another showdown this week, with the southern Sydney rivals set to fight over Todd Carney.
Carney is part of a four-player package deal the Dragons have earmarked to rescue the club next season, with Joel Thompson (Canberra), Mitchell Aubusson (Roosters) and Feleti Mateo (Warriors) in their sights.
The Sunday Telegraph can reveal David Riolo - the agent who manages all four players - will meet with Dragons officials this week. The key to the Dragons' recruitment jigsaw is Carney, with the trio of top-name players tipped to follow the NSW State of Origin No. 6 to the Dragons should he sign. It is understood the Dragons are willing to pay $700,000 for Carney.
Cronulla are confident of keeping the Canberra junior after coach Shane Flanagan met with Riolo last week to open negotiations. They were put on hold amid the club's drug revelations. With acting CEO Bruno Cullen taking over the handling of the club's salary cap, the Sharks are now in a position to renew Carney's contract beyond this year.
They are confident of resigning the star on a new deal by the end of the week despite the threat from the Dragons. The Dragons may have to raise their offer upwards of $800,000 to tear Carney away from Shark Park, with the star five-eighth prepared to stay at Cronulla if the deals are evenly matched. The Dragons and Cronulla are the only clubs Carney is considering, with the 26-year-old making it clear he does not want to leave the shire.
Carney could commute from his home in Cronulla to Wollongong should he jump ship to the Dragons. It is not the first time the two clubs have fought for his signature, with the Dragons missing out on his services when he was sacked by the Roosters in 2011.
The Dragons are also keen to lure Thompson, Aubusson and Mateo to the club. While snaring a playmaker is their priority, the club is also looking to add attacking flair to the forward pack. Mateo could command as much as $400,000, with Aubusson and Thompson also pushing $300,000 on the open market. The Roosters are keen to retain edge runner Aubusson but are aware of the interest from the Dragons and the Gold Coast Titans.
The Dragons expect to re-sign captain Ben Creagh next month. However, the futures of a host of stars, including Jamie Soward and Matt Cooper, remain in doubt.
