Kai Pearce-Paul closing in on NRL move as journalist hints at Wigan Warriors swap deal

It's been months since Kai Pearce-Paul was first linked with a move to the NRL and those rumours won't go away. The 21-year-old Wigan Warriors star has plenty of admirers across the globe and it appears that interest from down under is growing.

Now, one journalist believes KPP could be making his way to the NRL as soon as next season, despite being contracted with the Warriors until the end of 2023. Barry Toohey is a highly respected journalist who works for the Newcastle Herald and has covered the Knights for years.

It's been well documented that the Knights have set their sights on both Pearce-Paul and Will Pryce, with the club's recruitment manager coming to the UK earlier this year. Now, Toohey believes the Knights will sign the Wigan player, but believes it could be as soon as 2023.

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When asked about the club's chase for him on Twitter, he replied by saying the plan is for Pearce-Paul to sign in 2024, though that could change. "Still 24 (2024) at this stage but I’ll be surprised if Wigan don’t do a deal with the Knights to release Pearce-Paul early."

And when pushed further on the details of the deal, Toohey added that it could see an existing Knights player move the other way. Asked if there would be a transfer fee or a player swap, he said: "One or the other both possible."

Wigan don't currently have a quota spot available which would cast some doubt on the prospect of a swap deal. As it stands, the Warriors have made one signing in the shape of Warrington Wolves forward Mike Cooper.