Thursday 26 June 2014 19:43, UK
Salford Red Devils have told Castleford that their goalkicking half-back Marc Sneyd, who wants to stay with the Tigers, is available at the right price.
The 22-year-old has been a revelation since moving east on a season-long loan as part of the deal that took Rangi Chase to the Red Devils at the end of last season and the focus is likely to be on the stand-offs when they go head to head in Saturday's Super League clash at the Jungle.
Sneyd remains under contract with Salford but recently had a transfer request rejected.
Red Devils owner Marwan Koukash, who says he was annoyed to discover news of the player's transfer request on television, is keen to resolve the matter and has urged Castleford to pay the undisclosed transfer fee.
"Somebody got into his ears," Koukash said. "This matter hasn't been handled very professionally. It could have been sorted between the two clubs and the player in private.
"We had a place for Marc Sneyd next season but we can't force him to come back. If he wants to play for another team, that's fine, but they will have to pay a fee, as we did for Rangi Chase.
"We have set a fee and it's not out of their reach. It's up to them, they seem so keen. We have an opportunity to sign a young exciting half-back."
We had a place for Marc Sneyd next season but we can't force him to come back. If he wants to play for another team, that's fine, but they will have to pay a fee, as we did for Rangi Chase.
Castleford coach Daryl Powell said there had been no developments since news of Sneyd's transfer request emerged just over a week ago.
"He's a contracted player so, if he was to leave Salford for anybody, there'd be a transfer fee involved," Powell said. "At the moment I've nothing to add to what's been said.
"They've said he's staying where he is. We just get on with our business. I don't think there's a lot we can do apart from work through the season and see where it goes.
"I don't want it to become too public because Marc has got to concentrate on his game. That's the most important thing for him at the moment."
Powell is confident that Sneyd will not be distracted by the uncertainty over his future when he faces his parent club on Saturday.
"He tends to be one of those laid-back characters who doesn't seem to let too much bother him, "Powell said. "I'd like to think he'll just get on with his job and not worry too much about who's in front of him.
"He's been a pretty good player for us so this season and hopefully he'll continue to be so."
