I see your "standards" and raise you Craig Kopczak.

Standards that don't extend as far as paying him off and letting him go where he wishes, it would seem. In other words, probably no better or no worse than any other club finding itself in a similar situation.

At the age of 29 deciding to just sit out a year would be a ridiculous idea to take and they'd be no guarantee that in 12 months time he'd get a deal that was the same money wise as he's getting now.

Whilst he's a good player he isn't that good that he can sit out a year and just expect to waltz back into the England team for the World Cup. Their's a few young guys like Ward and Currie coming through along with the likes of Farrell, Tomkins, Whitehead who could all move well ahead of him in the pecking order with strong showings in the 4 Nations next year.

Maybe so, but it's equally ridiculous to suggest he'll move somewhere and put his body on the line every week for peanuts because everyone is too close to the salary cap to fit his current wage in.

There's no incentive for him to take say a 50% cut in wages just to play somewhere else.

Low ones?, We know

I'd have thought though Ferres would want to continue playing at the top and his playing ability has not been questioned. Leeds also we're tempted by the Westerman £150,000 and also would have had to pay minimum £125,00 om Sam Burgess marque contract so that shows we have money available and I'd think Ferres would just have to take a years pay cut n wages to allow Leeds time to organise 2017 roster to allow a wage increase for him. Its surprising with all the hype from Hetherington about wanting to sign Westerman or Burgess, now here comes a player who's easily available and GH stays quiet ? strange !!!

Hudds have supposedly given him the 11 shirt for 2016. Maybe matters are resolved?

Bit of hyperbole to describe any potential move as being for "peanuts".

Sitting on his backside for 12 months instead of taking a pay cut wiould leave him better financially off in the short term. But it's an unrealistic view that his 'stock' wouldn't drop if he takes that option and thus potentially hitting him more financially over the next 4/5 years.

Part of the bluffing involved in the game of poker it now is.
The other clubs bluff is that they aren't THAT bothered about Ferres and are almost doing Hudds a favour by taking him off their hands.
Hudds bluff is they won't sell him for nothing and will keep him if the right bid doesn't come in.

As usual, the reality is somewhere in the middle.

Hetherington's come out in the press and said Leeds won't be signing Ferres

*goes to get Ferres - 26 printed on back of new home shirt*

Aye. He said that about Briscoe.

Yeah, but Ferres is off to Wigan by all accounts.

Would indicate Bateman moving permanently into the centres then?

I'd be surprised if that happened, given they've already got Bateman, Farrell and JTomkins contesting second row spots. And while it could be argued that Ferres is better, he isn't so much better that his signing would make sense. IMO of course.

EDIT: Just seen AG's post. Bateman could play centre on a permanent basis and would be defensively strong. Falls a bit short as an attacking force though, I'd have said. Would make more sense to sign a centre and leave Bateman in the pack.

Personally I agree with you. The word is though he wants some distance, and Wigan are very keen.