By Nigel Roberts
Salford fans are eagerly awaiting the official announcements tomorrow of the Reds signings for next season.
Salford chairman Marwan Koukash is poised to announce the star signing of Rangi Chase tomorrow – the game’s worst kept secret.
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats scrum-half Tim Smith is the latest player to join the Reds.
Australian Smith signed over the weekend for a fee said to be £90,000 and joins Warrington forward Adrian Morley, St Helens winger Francis Meli, Melbourne centre Junior Sa’u and New Zealand Warriors forward Steve Rapira.
The Reds are said to have made a move for Parramatta Eels full-back Jake Mullaney.
Wigan’s Gareth Hock is likely to be joining shortly and London Broncos hooker Tommy Lee is another player said to be lined up.
New Zealand dual international Sonny Bill Williams has also been sounded out but a stumbling block proved to be a clause in his contract to enable him to continue his boxing career down under.
He is the number one professional boxer in New Zealand.
Don’t be surprised too if Sam Tomkins doesn’t join the Reds revolution and a further shock addition could be rugby union winger and former player Chris Ashton.
Major departures from the Reds are Jodie Broughton, Ashley Gibson, Wayne Godwin and Lee Gaskell.
Broughton has signed for Huddersfield Giants, Gibson is joining Castleford whilst Gaskell links up with Bradford Bulls.
Marc Sneyd is rumoured to be joining Castleford on a loan basis as part of the deal that brings Chase to Barton.
Forward Jordan James is also leaving the Reds to join the backroom staff at Wigan. Stephen Wild is likely to depart too.