Tupou in contract danger as talks stall Glenn Jackson | April 18, 2008 http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/tupou...ge#contentSwap1 ANTHONY TUPOU's desire to remain with Sydney Roosters could lead to his being left out in the cold - unable to sign with either his current club or suitors Manly. With the Roosters desperate to keep the representative forward and the Sea Eagles just as keen to gain him, Tupou had been in a strong bargaining position, but Manly officials yesterday conceded they were running out of time and would soon have to move on in order to re-sign existing players. It is understood the Roosters are trying to find enough room under the cap to make a significant offer. That, however, is proving tough, and the negotiations between all three parties are almost at a standstill. Tupou is waiting for the Roosters to come forward with a firm offer. But the Sea Eagles are not prepared to wait much longer, and chief executive Grant Mayer suggested the club could have to move on in the next week. If the Roosters, who who have more dollars to spend after Danny Nutley rejoined Cronulla this week, are unable to come up with the money for Tupou and the Sea Eagles pull their own offer, one of the last top-shelf options on the open market might have lost his two preferred options. "We're still no clearer in regards to Anthony's intentions," Mayer said. "Obviously he's waiting for an offer from the Roosters in writing. We'll just wait and see what happens early next week. But the club's got to move on." The situation has been clouded by the Sea Eagles' sluggish start to the season - and the realisation they need back-line players more than back-rowers. "Our focus is certainly on a youth policy," Mayer said. "We're looking at a number of players in our current playing group so we can develop them into first graders. "Anthony's one of the last marquee players available, and he's in a pretty good position - a lot of clubs are after him. But the simple fact is, clubs have got to move forward due to the changes in recruitment. Players are making decisions in April, March and even February now rather than July."
