Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Tue Aug 27, 2024 10:00 am
Stu M wrote:
Go on then I'll bite
I know this is a dig at me but let me clear up a few things...
Firstly it wasn't my rumour, I heard it from someone else and simply asked the question of Eckersley's contract status on here as I couldn't find any details online. I've said on here and on RV that I would be very surprised if he doesn't stay at Wigan. My only hope from a Saints POV was that he was out of contract at the end of this season and we threw more money at him and the promise of game time every week something that may not happen with a full strength team at Wigan.
Secondly isn't the idea of a rumours thread to discuss rumours?
I know this is a dig at me but let me clear up a few things...
Firstly it wasn't my rumour, I heard it from someone else and simply asked the question of Eckersley's contract status on here as I couldn't find any details online. I've said on here and on RV that I would be very surprised if he doesn't stay at Wigan. My only hope from a Saints POV was that he was out of contract at the end of this season and we threw more money at him and the promise of game time every week something that may not happen with a full strength team at Wigan.
Secondly isn't the idea of a rumours thread to discuss rumours?
Local paper has just run a story that we have taken up the one year extension option in Douglas' contract. The article also says that this means the only players that are now off contract for next year are Isa, Hampshire and Cooper, so that might suggest that Eckersley still has some time to go on his Wigan deal.
Obviously this isn't to say that the interest isn't real. Eckersley is only one injury in several positions away from being a first team player for the Champions, so he's entitled to expect a half decent contract at this point. If - and it's obviously a big if - Wigan are telling him that he needs to wait because the cap space has gone elsewhere, I'd expect a club with cash to burn to be interested.
Hopefully though he should at least be under contract here for 2025, which should give us time to sort out something more long term.