Former NRL premiership-winner Braith Anasta has endorsed the Wests Tigers reported pursuit of Latrell Mitchell, but claimed the wantaway Roosters star isn't ready for a move to fullback.
Mitchell, who is off-contract at the end of 2020, may have played his last game for the Roosters, after the premiers withdrew their two-year extension offered to the 22-year-old, worth a reported $1.6 million.
Since the premiers confirmed the contract withdrawal, the Wests Tigers have remained strongly linked to the representative superstar's signature, as they look to evolve into a serious premiership threat.
As confirmed by chairman Lee Hagipantelis, discussions with Mitchell have commenced, with Tigers officials, including coach Michael Maguire, travelling to his hometown of Taree recently to meet him.
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It's being hailed as potentially the biggest signing in the joint venture's history, and Anasta, who ended his illustrious NRL career with the Tigers, believes Mitchell is the missing link to the club's title aspirations.
"I've got a little bit of inside mail, I think that's where he's going to end up," the 288-game NRL veteran claimed on Fox Sports News.
"It's a great buy, it's a loss for the Roosters but it's a great buy for any club that he does go to.
"I think the Wests Tigers have been crying out for a player of the calibre of Latrell Mitchell for so many years now. This guy is a game-changer.
"Yes, they need to get the best out of him, and yes they don't want to pay overs for him as well because he is asking for big dollars, but he can really transform that side into making some semi-finals, [and] take some pressure off Benji Marshall and Luke Brooks in the halves."
Whilst money was believed to be a sticking point in Mitchell's negotiations with the Roosters, his desire to play fullback was reportedly where talks fell apart.
However, Anasta has joined the crowd of well-respected NRL voices in suggesting the dual-premiership winning centre isn't ready for a move into the number one jersey yet.
"If you're asking me what position he is best at it's in the centres. Fullback is so demanding these days. You've got to look at the likes of James Tedesco and how many metres they cover," Anasta said.
"You've got to be the fittest player on the field, you've got to be on the ball, on the move, 24/7 whilst you're in that position. I don't think Latrell is ready for that.
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"I think he's just got to ice that centre position and play the full 80 minutes at the highest level, that's what he's got to do."
The Tigers are one of the cashed-up clubs in this off-season's player market, following the immediate departures of forwards Ben Matulino and Ryan Matterson.
The pair of exits has reportedly freed up as much as $1.7 million in their salary cap for next season, giving them the opportunity to meet Mitchell's demands for a $1 million contract to lure him to Concord.
They aren't the only club who possess a war chest however, with the North Queensland Cowboys believed to be strongly interested in throwing big money at Mitchell, should their approach of Valentine Holmes fall through.
Despite a potential bidding war erupting between the two clubs however, Anasta warned the Tigers off paying overs for Mitchell, who he says still has a tendency to drift out of games
"I don't think he is [worth $1 million a season] at the moment," Anasta said. "I wouldn't begrudge anyone for paying that because he will get there sooner rather than later.
"We saw the last pass for the grand final victory for the Roosters. If it wasn't for him they probably don't win. He's got those big games in him but he doesn't play for the 80 minutes every week.
"For me a million-dollar player needs to be the highest of quality, consistently playing high quality for 80 minutes every week. He's not quite there, [but] he will get there."
