Fox News are reporting that Bateman will sign for Wigan and Jackson Hastings will sign for NZ Warriors. Both announcements to be made in the next few days apparently.
I’ll believe it when I see it.

That's the only feasible way the transfer could work. I wouldn't mind Harry Smith coming straight in to facilitate Bateman

I'd look for a replacement for Hastings to play alongside Smith, someone like Ashley Taylor from Gold Coast, or a returning Blake Green.

Benji Marshall

Sadly we won't have a free marquee space for anyone like Marshall.

Hopefully we manage to keep hold of French then at least we have one other viable option for the halves next year (+ Harry Smith), assuming we will lose Hastings and Tommy.

That will do for me,we need some good news

Why would he have to be a marquee spot?

Is that good news? For me Hastings has the potential to be a much bigger influence on the side than Bateman and if it was a choice of one or the other it would be Hastings. That said I love Bateman and having him back softens the blow of Hastings leaving if true.

For me, I don't want to lose hastings but we know he will be going back to the NRL either this season or next, so if we can get Bateman in to offset the imminent departure I would be happy and not wondering when he is going to exercise his contractual right to walk away. It leaves us able to plan ahead. Bateman might well be on his way to Canterbury or the titans for more cash bit I hope he is homesick

You think we have (probably) £300k free in the salary cap for next year?

Easily if Lockers, Tommy, Gildart, Flower, Escare, Hastings and Burgess are leaving. Whether IL wants to pay it is another question.

Well some of those will have to be replaced, e.g. Gildart, Tommy/Hastings and possibly Flower and Burgess.