Salford battle to get deal with Warrington for Sam Stone after ‘downing tools'

Back rower walked away from the Red Devils after months of chaos
STONE DROP Salford battle to get deal with Warrington for Sam Stone after 'downing tools'
SALFORD are battling to not lose Sam Stone to Warrington for nothing.
SunSport understands the back rower is claiming he resigned from the Red Devils and should be a free agent after refusing to play.
2
Salford are fighting to get something from a move that will see Sam Stone head to Warrington after 'downing tools.'
Credit: SWPIX.COM
The Wolves are close to completing a swoop for the Australian, with angered boss Paul Rowley claiming talks have been ongoing since pre-season.
Now it is believed that rather than a transfer fee, Super League's basement boys are trying to negotiate a move that will see one or more players move in the opposite direction for the test of the campaign.
That would reduce the wage bill even more as salaries are taken care of by the parent club but would still give the coach options to select from.
Stone's imminent departure would make it eight top stars to have departed since Sire Kailahi and Curtiz Brown took ownership of Salford.
And Rowley fumed: 'On Saturday, he downed tools.
'I'm fully understanding of everyone's position, thresholds and tolerance but that situation really put us in a bit of strife.
'The manner of it's not good. There's a way of doing things and that's not the way. If you make a decision that hurts your team-mates then it's not a good decision.
'Sam's been talking to another club since pre-season, so now he's fit I guess that move can start to take shape.'
While Stone, 27, is next to leave, SunSport understands Kailahi and Brown claim as many as seven players may be coming in, if finance comes good.
2
Salford boss Paul Rowley admitted the Australian refused to play against St Helens
Credit: SWPIX.COM
So far, their ownership has been a disaster and Rowley has been forced to blood kids, with painter and decorator Sam Hill scoring a try against St Helens on Sunday.
And until money is in the bank account, he can only dream as he added: 'Until it's tangible and real, you're wasting your energy trying to make up a team of make believe players.
'I just crack on with the lads we've got.'

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Daily Mirror

4 hours ago

• Daily Mirror

Man Utd chiefs backed into corner over four deals crippling Ruben Amorim budget

Manchester United are determined to push through a number of high-profile sales this summer to bolster Ruben Amorim's spending power but the process is already proving complex for the Old Trafford hierarchy Jadon Sancho's salary is once again complicating his Manchester United exit. Italian champions Napoli and Juventus are both courting the 25-year-old winger but currently, would only be willing to pursue a loan that would enable them to share a percentage of his wages, worth £250,000 per week plus bonuses, with United. The Red Devils are adamant another loan is not feasible and are pushing for a sale after Chelsea paid a £5million penalty clause to send the England international back to Old Trafford. ‌ It's understood Sancho is open to a new experience in Serie A having previously held discussions with Juventus last summer before a deal collapsed over financials. ‌ Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford faces being left in limbo as Barcelona are working to finalise the arrival of Athletic Club attacker Nico Williams. Rashford has been holding out for a move to Catalonia following his six-month loan spell at Aston Villa but if Barca get the signing of Williams over the line, a deal looks off the table. Como are the latest club to make enquiries for £81.3m flop Antony but the Brazilian currently favours a return to Real Betis, who want to secure another loan for the 25-year-old. READ MORE: Antonio Conte makes statement about Man Utd transfer he did not think would happen United believe now is the perfect time to sell Antony following his eye-catching form in Spain, there has been loose interest from Bayer Leverkusen but his desire to rejoin Betis threatens to back the Red Devils into a corner. Earlier this month, Rasmus Hojlund also outlined his desire to stay and fight for his place at United while away on international duty with Denmark. Ruben Amorim is not actively looking to sell the 22-year-old but the Red Devils would be willing to sanction his departure for the right price if it enabled them to upgrade their forward options. ‌ Inter Milan were keen to explore a loan-to-buy deal which would have required United to take a significant hit on the £72m fee they paid Atalanta for the Dane in 2023 but they're now in advanced talks to sign Parma striker Ange-Yoan Bonny, instead. Hojlund's commitment to fulfilling his contract and potential under Amorim means a departure is not a given, particularly when sellable assets such as Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony actively want out. ‌ Rashford - valued at £40m - is willing to return to United training next month, if suitable offers for his services fail to materialise. It's been well documented that United must sell-to-buy following the £62.5m arrival of Matheus Cunha but to date, there has been little progress regarding departures.

Daily Mirror

13 hours ago

• Daily Mirror

Kyrgios sends message to BBC after Wimbledon snub with verdict on replacement

Nick Kyrgios worked as a commentator for the BBC at last year's Wimbledon, but the Australian will not be back this year and he has sent a message to the broadcaster Nick Kyrgios has branded the BBC's decision not to employ him as a commentator for this year's Wimbledon "very strange" and taken a swipe at the current player who is set to replace him. Kyrgios worked for the BBC at last year's tournament after he was unable to compete due to a wrist injury. The Australian has not played at Wimbledon since losing the 2022 final to Novak Djokovic and will be absent again this year after suffering a "small setback" in his recovery. ‌ And he has also been dropped as a broadcaster by the BBC, with Kyrgios claiming that world No.108 Chris Eubanks is set to replace him. In an interview with the Guardian, Kyrgios said: "It's unfortunate but it's probably their loss more than mine. ‌ "I understand they've got Chris Eubanks but he hasn't beaten the greatest of all time multiple times. When someone's beaten Federer, Nadal, Murray and Djokovic and has incredible insights, it's very strange you wouldn't want that person adding knowledge to tennis fans. "I'm sure our paths will cross again. I only ever want to add humour, some knowledge and some great atmosphere." The BBC have yet to officially confirm their line-up for Wimbledon, but the tournament will air across BBC One and BBC Two between June 30 and July 13. Two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray has also confirmed he will not be part of the BBC's coverage, despite having previously worked as a pundit for the broadcaster. "If I go and work at, let's say Wimbledon, you start getting asked questions about British players like Jack Draper," he told GQ earlier this month. "Because you respect them, you listen to what they're saying - but it's not always the same as what your coach is telling you. "What the pundits are saying could be wrong," Murray admitted. "They're not right all the time, and when you're young, it's quite conflicting. So I'd be more inclined to do coaching, because I think punditry is quite an easy gig. "You can just throw stuff out there. People love it if it's a bit controversial, but you don't actually have any skin in the game." ‌ Draper has guaranteed himself a top-four seeding at Wimbledon after reaching the final four at Queen's Club, while fellow Brits Jacob Fearnley, Cam Norrie and Billy Harris have earned direct entry. Dan Evans, Henry Searle, Jay Clarke, Jack Pinnington Jones, Johannus Monday, George Loffhagen, and Oliver Crawford have all been handed wildcards. Emma Raducanu, Katie Boulter and Sonay Kartal will also be in action. Hannah Klugman, Mimi Xu, Mika Stojsavljevic, Francesca Jones, Harriet Dart, Jodie Burrage and Heather Watson are among the women's wildcard entries. A number of Brits will also feature in qualifying.

Daily Mirror

14 hours ago

• Daily Mirror

Ruben Amorim's dream Man Utd XI with four new signings and two major exits

Ruben Amorim knows he needs a big summer transfer window if he is to turn around Manchester United's fortunes with Matheus Cunha his only major signing amid interest in the likes of Bryan Mbeumo Manchester United endured a dire season, but the caveat throughout the season was that Ruben Amorim didn't have his own players yet. He also hadn't had the benefit of a pre-season, but none of those excuses can be used come August. The Red Devils, who finished 15th last term, their worst showing since the early 1970s, have wasted no time in pursuing their targets this summer. Not all of them have got over the line, but their show of ambition underlines that they are fully behind Amorim. ‌ Matheus Cunha has been signed from Wolves for £62.5million, but he is the only new face to officially arrive at Old Trafford. Liam Delap was on the club's radar but he ultimately decided Chelsea were a better fit for him. ‌ United's lack of European football doesn't seem as if it will halt their recruitment. A willingness to sell nearly every player in their squad is also set to aid their transfer budget. Amorim's 3-4-3 system didn't lend itself to the players the Portuguese boss inherited in Manchester and several key positions need addressing. That is before the man in the dugout decides whether those on his books have what it takes to make the club a winning outfit once more. Cunha is set to play in one of the two roles that sit behind the frontman. Who that will be still needs to be determined. Viktor Gyokeres has flirted with a move but doesn't seem to be keen at present. It is clear that Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee aren't what the team need currently. United's pursuit of Bryan Mbeumo is well documented. Brentford have rejected their opening offers with Tottenham, who now have Thomas Frank at the helm, hoping they can swoop in and seal a move for the Cameroonian. He's just enjoyed the best year of his career and is tipped to move on, but still favours a switch to Manchester. He, like Cunha, would likely thrive in one of the positions behind the frontman. Equally though Bruno Fernandes, the club's talisman, has occupied one of those roles but may drop deeper to accommodate all the attacking talent that could be arriving in Manchester. ‌ With Gyokeres favouring other destinations Amorim's search for and out and out striker continues. Scoring goals was a well documented problem for the Red Devils and, after also missing out on Delap, Victor Osimhen could now come into play. The Nigerian's time in Napoli is up. He was pushed out of loan last term, scoring regularly at Galatasaray, and he's turned down a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia which underlines his desire to remain in Europe. Osimhen has just 12 months left on his deal meaning he could be available for less than his market value. ‌ At the other end of the pitch Andre Onana is still yet to convince despite having two years in between the sticks. He has continued to come up with errors and was even dropped by Amorim last term. Aston Villa's Emi Martinez is a man who is linked with pastures new. He appeared to say his goodbyes and cut an emotional figure on his last outing at Villa Park. Rumours have mounted that United are keen, and their interest is reciprocated by the Argentina No 1 himself whilst Monaco are understood to be keen on Onana. In front of the goalkeeper, despite potentially wanting to bolster his defensive line, Amorim may have to stick with what he's got. United ultimately don't have a bottomless pit of cash and if they landed Cunha, Mbeumo, Osimhen and Martinez it would take them beyond the £200m mark. ‌ Those signings could yet be aided by some significant departures with Alejandro Garnacho being among the most significant. Previously cited as a player for the long haul, he has since fallen down the pecking order and his attitude was called into question following his snub in the Europa League final. Man Utd's possible XI: Martinez; Yoro, Maguire, Martinez; Amad, Ugarte, Fernandes, Dalot; Cunha, Mbeumo, Osimhen.