ROOSTERS TARGET MANSOUR PUTS BLUES FIRST
Penrith winger Josh Mansour has placed contract talks on hold until after the State of Origin period, amid a link to the Roosters.
In camp for his second game representing the Blues, the winger revealed to Market Watch that he’s so focused on his performance in game two that he won’t make a decision on his future until after July 6.
“I had a chat with (my manager) and we spoke about (my future),” he said.
“He wants me to remain focused on this. He knows how important me being part of the Origin team is. It’s my first (series) here so he wants me to be as focused as I can be for it.
“I really wanted to just focus on this period of the year. You don’t really get too many chances to be in this position, especially after the way the first game ended.
“I’m going to have to prepare for a very big game in Queensland. It’s not going to easy so hopefully after Origin I’ll get all that sorted.”
The 25-year-old admitted that while in camp with the Blues, contract talks are the furthest thing from his mind but the two weeks in between camps can be distracting.
Mansour has recently been linked to the Roosters, with the club able to accommodate the star winger after releasing Joe Burgess (Rabbitohs) and Brendan Eliott (Knights).
They also reportedly have $600,000 in this year’s salary cap to play with, which they can use to bring some star power to the club.
While it’s understood Mansour’s preference is to stay with the Panthers, money is tight following the signing of James Tamou and upgrading a host of talented youngsters such as Bryce Cartwright and James Fisher-Harris.
The Panthers met with Newcastle back Nathan Ross last week with Anthony Griffin searching for an outside back who won’t command top dollar.
This leaves Mansour in a difficult spot.
With his fiancé Daniella to consider and a wedding to plan and pay for, the former Australian representative has plenty on his plate.
“Outside of camp, it does come across your mind a bit,” he said.
“I’ve got a fiancé. I’m getting married this year so it is a big deal and a big decision I’ve got to make for the next couple of years.
“It does come across my head but I have to remain composed and worry about my footy.”
Mansour’s Panthers teammate Bryce Cartwright is signed with the club until the end of 2018 and admits he may have to have a word to the winger while in NSW camp, in a bid to convince him to stay.
“Fingers crossed he does sign with us,” Cartwright said.
“He’s a great player and an even better bloke so I might have to start talking to him and try and get him to stay.
“I’d love to see him stay but he’s got to do what’s best for him.”
