If the Bulldogs agree to an early release, the Eels are interested in signing Addo-Carr.
If Josh Addo-Carr is freed from his contract with the Bulldogs, he might join archrivals Parramatta.
Parramatta has showed interest in signing the talented winger, but only if Canterbury agrees to a quick transfer.
To complete the transaction, Parramatta would have to release a player.
Despite a recent meeting with football general manager Phil Gould, Addo-Carr is on the outs with some Bulldogs officials. The Premier League champion winger is under contract until the end of 2025, but he could go sooner if the club benefits from the move.
The Eels have stated that they require more speed out wide, while the Bulldogs are lacking in forwards following the departures of Tevita Pangai jnr, Luke Thompson, Corey Waddell, Franklin Pele, and Fa’amanu Brown. A player swap has not been ruled out by the Bulldogs. In addition, they have signed Warriors forward Josh Curran for next season.
During the offseason, Addo-Carr has received a lot of attention. For his role in a scuffle during the Koori Knockout, the former Wests Tigers and Storm flanker received a two-game ban, which he served during Australia’s first Pacific Nations Tests, as well as a $5000 fine ($3000 suspended).
A week later, Addo-Carr shared an Instagram post connecting the Middle East crisis to Indigenous land rights. He quickly erased a photo of the Palestinian and Aboriginal flags with the text “One struggle, one fight” and apologized.
Before a meeting with Gould a fortnight ago, this masthead disclosed he was on the nose with several Canterbury powerbrokers. Gould stated that he wished Addo-Carr would demonstrate more leadership, but assured him that he was still needed at Belmore.
That could change now that Parramatta has expressed interest in signing the 28-year-old if he becomes a free agent. Injuries and the relegation of Waqa Blake to reserve grade strained the blue and golds’ three-quarter stocks in 2023.
The Eels have recruited Manly center Morgan Harper on a one-year contract, but Addo-Carr is regarded as the X-factor the team requires after missing the play-offs in 2023. Parramatta’s sole other signing for next season is Manly forward Kelma Tuilagi.
In his two seasons at Canterbury, Addo-Carr has 27 tries in 38 games for a team that has struggled for points. His popularity at Belmore is evidenced by the sale of more over $1 million of his personal clothing brand, which earned him the NRL’s entrepreneur of the year award.
The Eels and Bulldogs have been approached for comment.
The Bulldogs remain aggressive in the transfer market, with Warriors forward Curran poised to join Belmore immediately.
Curran, who was allowed freedom to test the market despite having a year left on his contract, has reached an agreement with Canterbury.
He also spoke with the Dragons but informed them on Tuesday night that he would decline the offer.
Next year, he will join Stephen Crichton, Blake Taaffe, Bronson Xerri, and Jaeman Salmon as confirmed signings for Cameron Ciraldo’s side.
The Bulldogs have also signed winger Blake Wilson to a two-year contract extension until the end of 2025.
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