Doesn't need to be a clause, if the player wants out, usually the player gets out. (Not that I'm saying that's the case with Williams btw).

If there is a clause, does it mean that a player could leave on a free transfer?

If a transfer fee isn`t required, it makes a massive difference to recruiting a player that necessitates a significant transfer fee.

There is a rumour though, the Aus Telegraph have reported that 4 clubs are “circling”, Fox asked him if he had plans to return and he said that he couldn’t rule it out (granted he seemed to suggest in the future) and a number of the online click-baits are running it, Zero Tackle for example.

I’m not saying it’s likely, as we’d have to command a few for him (he can’t play the home sick card twice), but if a club come knocking we could be vulnerable.

I'd be amazed if we allowed a clause to say he could walk out whenever he wanted and return to the NRL, but a clause could say a player could leave for free or it could say he could leave for a minimum fee, it could also stipulate whether that was just for NRL or included SL too. I'd be surprised if any clause existed given his acrimonious departure from the NRL.

I'd agree a transfer fee would make it more unlikely, and if Bateman is rumoured at $250k I would expect Williams to be well in excess of that being a half. Although he is a known quantity somewhat in the NRL, he's already been over there and performed well, so less of a risk compared to a 'new' SL player heading to the NRL.

It would be a very good business deal for Wigan if they receive $250k for Bateman, given his form for Wigan since his return to England.

He did play well in Australia for Canberra but has looked a shadow of his former self since then.

could Wigan be planning using the £140,000 plus some to try and buy Williams back from us?

He only has 1 year left on contract, he's probably just putting the feelers out which I don't blame him for. I'd like him to stay beyond his contract because he's a brilliant player, he just needs a better foil alongside him with a good tactical kicking game and a pack which gets him in to the opposition half more regularly. Hopefully both of those problems will have been addressed by the time next season starts.

He has another two seasons left with us.

I love how Williams just saying he would like anothe crack at the NRL one day has turned in to clauses and him trying to immediately move ha ha
Anyway just announce Drinkwater already, getting bored waiting now.

Well I doubt they will be using it to pry King from us.

It's to buy out Ratchford's contract, Boxing Day announcement, you heard it here first.

"Nurse, where's my medication?"

So is Drinkwater spending Xmas in France then? I would have thought the sooner he arrived the better, irrespective of whether Williams is back?