Just read a Retweet by Sale Sharks News which was orginally posted by Neil Fissler whose apparently a Rugby Union Journalist. Reads as follows:

"I am hearing that @Saracens are going to announce tomorrow they have signed Joel Tomkins from Wigan Warriors #rugby @premrugby"

So its looking more and more like the difficulties have been overcome and Joels heading to Union.

99.99999% of players in RU have boot deals.

You dont seriously think that Joel wont be getting a lot of, lets say "extras" as part of his signing on fee do you? Very naive.

But Coventry Warrior is right. Many players have boot deals but you don't need a boot deal to play. Despite my world class natural talent, a gift from god some said, I was never contacted by Nike or Adidas. Their loss, as my nan used to tell me.

His agent will have sorted him a boot deal as part of his "extras"

I have no doubts about that at all. Id expect to see him on the front cover of whatever national magazine union has in the next couple of months too. He should have made an appearance on Question of Sport and possibly that one on Sky by Easter too.

Was it common knowledge that Joel instigated the move to Saracens and not the other way round?