Wigan Warriors have emerged as a shock club in the race to sign Jai Field.
League Express understands the Warriors have tabled a multi-year deal for the Parramatta speedster, who is off-contract at the end of the season.
Field has long been linked with a move to Leeds Rhinos but it now appears that if he is to play in Super League next season it will be in cherry and white rather than blue and amber, with Wigan thought to be leading the chase for his signature.
Leeds have cooled their interest and that has left Wigan fighting it out with NRL clubs.
The Eels have offered him a one-year contract extension after a string of impressive cameo appearances this year.
Field, 22, can play at fullback, wing or halfback and it’s believed Adrian Lam plans on recruiting him to play in the latter position, should he land the former St George Illawarra Dragon.
He has played three games for the Eels this season, scoring once, and has 14 NRL appearances under his belt.
The future of two current Wigan halfbacks remains unclear. Both Tommy Leuluai and Jackson Hastings are off-contract. Leuluai, 35, is in the closing stages of his career while Hastings been regularly linked with an NRL return.
Harry Smith, who turned 20 in January, has impressed for the Warriors, but the potential departures of Leuluai and Hastings would leave a void in Adrian Lam’s squad.
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