Friday 6 April 2018 14:34, UK
Michael McIlorum is ready to welcome his former Wigan team-mate Sam Tomkins to the south of France.
Tomkins is thought to be considering the offer of a four-year contract from Catalans Dragons which would give him the chance to play in three different countries.
The 29-year-old cost New Zealand Warriors a world record £700,000 transfer fee in 2014 but he cut short his stay in Auckland at the end of the 2015 season and returned to Wigan on a four-year contract as their marquee player.
However, it has emerged the final year of that deal is an option in Wigan's favour and the club have until the end of the month to exercise it.
McIlorum, who made the move from Wigan to Perpignan in January, says he is aware of the speculation surrounding his close friend and is hoping it comes to fruition.
"I've heard of it," McIlorum said.
"Obviously if we could recruit a player of his calibre for next season it would be great for Catalans. I'm hoping there's something behind it.
"If he does decide to come over, I'd be more than happy to help. He's a good friend."
The Catalans fans will have a chance to watch Tomkins close up on Saturday when Wigan play the Dragons in a round 10 league fixture.
Neither Wigan nor Catalans have made any comment and the Warriors made Tomkins unavailable at short notice to the media at coach Shaun Wane's weekly media opportunity at Orrell on Friday morning.
When asked about the speculation, Wane said: "Until I'm I told otherwise, as far as I'm concerned Sam is my player."
The move would represent another major coup for the Dragons following their capture of McIlorum and Papua New Guinea's World Cup captain David Mead but would hinge on their survival in Super League.
The Catalans survived in 2017 only by winning the Million-Pound Game and are currently bottom of the table after winning just two of their opening nine matches.
