Burgess looks like a 2011 proposition from the below article. I don't know for sure, but I believe that any transfer fee would be included in the cap. What has happened in the past is that another club takes over a player's contract. If an existing contract is inflated by the current club then it would still count towards the cap.
Bradford's England forward Sam Burgess will have his pick of the leading National Rugby League clubs when he makes his move to Australia, according to his manager.
The 20-year-old, who became Great Britain's youngest forward since Andy Farrell when he made a try-scoring debut in the home series against New Zealand in 2007, is one of the hottest properties in the game and has Australian clubs queuing up for his services.
Former Bradford chairman Chris Caisley, who now acts as Burgess' adviser, says the player is certain to move Down Under within the next 18 months.
"My phone has been red hot," he said. "There has been plenty of interest from clubs in Australia, I would say at least half the NRL."
"If he was free to go now, he would have his pick of the clubs."
Burgess, who missed the World Cup through injury, is under contract with the Bulls until the end of the 2011 season but has an opt-out clause enabling him to realise his ambition of playing in Australia in 2011.
Recent rumours have suggested he could make the move at the end of this season, with Hollywood actor Russell Crowe said to have intervened personally on behalf of South Sydney, where he has a controlling interest.
Caisley says he is unable to confirm the Crowe connection but has not ruled out a move to Australia in 2010 if a club can tempt Bradford with a player exchange.
"In my experience, it's very rare that Australian clubs give compensation so realistically he's going to be at Bradford next year," he said.
"That will only change if a club can put forward a player in exchange that would persuade Bradford to release him a year early."
Former Leeds second rower Gareth Ellis, who is in his first season with Wests Tigers, is the only Englishman currently plying his trade in the NRL but Burgess is tipped to become as big a success Down Under as his England team-mate Adrian Morley, who was a huge hit with Sydney Roosters.
"He has always had an ambition to give Australia a shot and he thinks he can make a big impression," added Caisley.
http://sportal.com.au/league-news-display/burgess-tipped-for-nrl-success-75459