In a recent interview, Sale Sharks' head coach, Alex Sanderson, shared that Manu Tuilagi, the renowned rugby player, is likely to stay with the club despite their initial offer of £70,000 being rejected as "insulting."
Sanderson disclosed this development, shedding light on the ongoing contract negotiations between the club and Tuilagi.
"I’m happy to tell you that everything is positive,” Sanderson said on Tuesday of his discussions with Tuilagi.
“I can’t confirm as yet, but it’s more positive and closer than it’s ever been. Until the cat is in the bag and your chickens have hatched, you can’t call it with retention and recruitment. But all the sounds are good.
“It was pretty hopeless, but where there’s a will you keep trying to find a way. Things that weren’t in our control six months ago have happened and have allowed us to keep coming back to the table for Manu. But until it’s done, it’s not done because people come in.
"The French are always late to offer contracts, Japan also. Given the curve-balls I’ve faced in the past, you can’t put away another factor that might affect what we want to happen.”
“It’s really close, and actually in the laps of agents now,” added Sale’s director of rugby.
“If you could take agents out of it, this would have been done weeks ago. I want it done quicker, Manu wants his future sorted quicker. It’s in the corporate-legal ether.”
We take a look at each Gallagher Premiership clubs marquee player and what they are reportedly earning.
Every Premiership Team's Marquee Player:
Bath RFC: None (was previously Taulupe Faletau)
Bristol Bears: Charles Piutau - £1,000,000 per season
Exeter Chiefs: Stuart Hogg - £500,000
Gloucester: Adam Hastings - £450,000
Adam Hastings of Gloucester Rugby kicks the conversion during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Gloucester Rugby and Exeter Chiefs at Kingsholm on 28 October. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
Harlequins: André Esterhuizen - £420,000
Andre Esterhuizen of Harlequins during the Gallagher Premiership match between Harlequins and Leicester Tigers at Twickenham Stoop, London on 16 October 2022 (Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK)
Leicester Tigers: Handre Pollard - £600,000
Handre Pollard of South Africa during the Autumn Nations Match between England and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on 20 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
London Irish: Paddy Jackson - £500,000
Paddy Jackson of London Irish kicks for goal during the Gallagher Premiership match between London Irish and Newcastle Falcons at The Brentford Community Stadium, London on December 04 2021 (Photo: Danny Loo/PPAUK)
Newcastle Falcons: Unknown
Northampton Saints: None (was previously Dan Biggar)
Sale Sharks: George Ford - £450,000
George Ford of Sale Sharks during the Gallagher Premiership match between Exeter Chiefs and Sale Sharks at Sandy Park, Exeter on 26th February 2023. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
Saracens: Owens Farrell - £750,000
Owen Farrell (c) of the Saracens during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bath Rugby and Saracens at the Recreation Ground on 17 Oct. Photo: Steve Haag/PPAUK
Owen Farrell Facts:
- The Saracens star went to school with England teammate George Ford
- His education began in rugby league – he joined Wigan St Patricks at the age of eight
- He became the youngest ever player to appear in English professional rugby, making his debut aged 17 and 11 days. This record was later beaten by schoolmate Ford
- It’s well known that Owen is the son of Ireland head coach Andy Farrell. However, it’s less commonly know that his uncle Sean O’Loughlin is also a rugby league legend, winning 34 caps for Great Britain between 1993 and 2009
- He was not at first registered as a Farrell, but took mum Colleen’s family name of O’Loughlin. The couple married in 1995, changing Owen’s surname to Farrell the following year.
