Rohan Smith was coy on reports linking Leeds Rhinos with a move for Oliver Gildart before potentially dropping a hint on a move. Rugby League Live has reported that the club is looking to bring the England international in on a loan deal from Wests Tigers before he takes up a deal in 2023 with Redcliffe Dolphins.
However, it's understood Wests Tigers, Gildart's parent club, may have put the breaks on a deal, though the reasons are unsure. Super League's signing deadline is next week which means time is ticking on a potential loan move.
Smith was asked twice about reports and at first appeared to dismiss the speculation, before later refusing to rule it out.
Read more: Rohan Smith provides cryptic update on Leeds Rhinos' Oliver Gildart link
When first quizzed on the news, Smith said: "I'm not aware of any news there despite what's been broken." But when a follow-up question asking if there was any chance at all of Gildart arriving at Headingley he smiled and said: "There's always a chance."
When asked more broadly about recruitment plans, Smith added: "We have the potential and the capability of making some late moves but there's nothing set in stone there that we have to, we will or we have. There are moving parts there and we'll be looking to build and grow our squad for this season and next."
One deal that has been completed is that of Yusuf Aydin, the Wakefield Trinity prop who has arrived on a two-week loan.
"That came about the last couple of days," Smith said. "We've been looking out for reinforcements in our middle unit given the guys out suspended. We had a conversation on Tuesday and it all happened pretty quickly from there.
"He's a good, hard worker, he's really keen to get involved in a new environment and test himself, even if it's only for a few weeks, to test himself, to be challenged and challenge himself."
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