Leeds Rhinos' resistance to offer Zak Hardaker more than a one-year deal was the key stumbling block in their attempts to re-sign the star. Hardaker has signed with Leigh after the newly-promoted club completed an impressive move for the former Man of Steel.
Hardaker's future has been a talking point for several months. The 31-year-old has made no secret of his desire to stay at the club but Rhinos' salary cap situation has been well-documented. As a result, he has now departed.
It's thought that tentative talks with Hardaker's representatives started several months back, with Hardaker himself admitting there had been conversations going back as far as August. However, rather than a deal being tabled, it is thought that the club's salary cap situation was made clear.
Read more: Making sense of Leeds Rhinos' salary cap issues after Jack Walker and Zak Hardaker exits
Nevertheless, there was a mutual agreement between both sides that they would like to come to terms on a deal once the cap issues were resolved. Broad discussions are thought to have taken place based on his options at that stage. But Rugby League Live has learned that Hardaker's representatives made it clear to all interested parties that they would not consider any one-year contracts. There was a clear push to secure the England international a longer contract.
Leeds started serious contract talks earlier this month when it became apparent that a resolution to Jack Walker's future would be found. However, the deal tabled to Hardaker was only one year. At the same time, his representatives had started pursuing other avenues due to concerns over the salary cap situation and with the season heading towards its latter stages, by which point clubs are starting to finalise their recruitment plans. Hardaker himself rejected an offer from another club while those discussions were ongoing.
Throughout the discussions, Leigh had shown interest. Eventually, they tabled an appealing two-year contract. Not only that, but the annual salary is thought to be around 25 per cent higher than the initial five-figure contract tabled by the Rhinos. Simply put, Leeds were comfortably outbid. Though Leeds are thought to have increased their offer, it remained a one-year deal. As had been made clear to all interested parties back in August, one-year deals weren't an option, meaning the offer was never considered a viable one from Hardaker's side. As a result, the Leigh deal was accepted. Leeds are thought to have been notified earlier this week.
Some have questioned Hardaker's decision to move back to Lancashire having been clear about his wish to return to West Yorkshire when leaving Wigan. It is thought, however, personal circumstances in his life have now changed, making the need to be closer to home not as pressing, hence their decision to consider Leigh's offer and meet them. Now, the Rhinos must focus on finding a replacement for Hardaker. They do have salary cap space as well as a quota spot to use.
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