Besides, MK has gone on record saying he's going to exceed the cap, just like all the big clubs apparently. Whether Salford are close to it or not is irrelevant.

As for Tim Smith, wasn't he at Wigan with Noble when Tomkins usurped his position in the first 17? That could still play on his mind, although money talks.

Butcher

Lets forget about the cap issues, what about the non fed trained issues. Its really hard to keep up with whats going on with your club so can you tell us how many non fed trained players you have signed or are about to sign.

I hope this rumour is true we get a decent wedge and a new number7?

Non Fed:
S'au confirmed signed.
Puletua practically confirmed signed.

Not Sure:
Chase - strongly rumoured. I assume he's non-Fed
McPherson - not sure. He was one of the players given dispensation when Crusaders folded.

Exempt:
Meli classed as Fed due to the time over here.
McGoldrick, if staying, would be classed as Fed due to the time over here.

It's possible I've forgotten someone.

Just to confirm, under Dr Koukash we have dealt with every transfer (thus far) with the upmost respect. Tim Smith is a player who Brian Noble rates highly, he worked with him at Wigan and he identified him as a target for 2014. I was under the impression it was either/or with Chase and Smith, which would mean Smith would stay where he is.

It would be a pleasant suprise if we were to get both, however I would Smith would set the Dr back at least a £100k.

You appear to have mistaken us for the RFL disciplinary committee; that sounds like a statement for the defence!

Out of interest - how do you know that to be the case?

I was under the impression that McPhearson continues to get dispensation for the duration of his current contract. If he was to sign another contract he would then become Non-fed trained. I think his contract is up at the end of next season.

He signed a new deal earlier this year which will have nullified his exemption I would of thought.
rlhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/22314442rl

In that case, if I'm right with my assumption, he'd count as non-fed and quota.

In my opinion, Tim Smith is one of if not the best scrum half in the league.
Certainly the best at what he does.

Of course other teams want him. That's why he is under contract with us.

He could have got more money in Oz, even playing for a lower level team but he decided to come here to give his career a chance and a boost.
I think he has succeeded in doing that.

So, I can't see him just jumping for money.
Saying that....everybody has a price, but if he has, we need a fee that will represent his value to us, not his value to Salford.
I would want enough money to be able to go buy Danny Brough or Rob Burrow, not just enough to pay some wages, but enough to buy out contracts.

So in my opinion, MK doesn't have that money....and if he does, he might as well just go buy Danny Brough.

All very understandable, but I suspect any transfer fee wouldn't be going on wages, let alone buying out contracts.

I think you are over-simplifying the process.

For one thing, your valuation of Smith will be very different from your Clubs valuation of him. RL Clubs are not exactly awash with money right now. If a Club came in and offered a decent sum the Club would have to consider it. That sum could very well be lower than what you imagine for a multitude of reasons.

Spot on.

Also with the retention of Paul Sykes I doubt we'd be keeping him if we were going to let Timmy go. But Tim and Chase would be a cracking partnership IMO.

I'm suggesting that is what it should be.
Whetehr we settle for less is another issue and your point is perfectly valid......I just hope it doesn't happen