Foxx in the kennel: Dogs offer Addo-Carr long-term deal

Canterbury have tabled NSW Origin speedster Josh Addo-Carr a four-year offer in a bid to lure him from Melbourne to Belmore from 2022.

The long-term deal – understood to be worth more than $500,000 a season – comes after Addo-Carr toured Bulldogs facilities last week.

The club has made no official comment on the offer put to Addo-Carr but has made no secret of its interest in the NRL's fastest man.

Addo-Carr had been pursuing a return to Sydney on compassionate grounds for 2021 that led to him committing to a heads of agreement with Wests Tigers on their own four-year deal.

But his release was contingent on Melbourne landing a suitable replacement and after consultation with the 27-year-old international, Addo-Carr resolved to see out the final year of his Storm deal.

The agreement with the Tigers only applied to 2021, making Addo-Carr once more one of the biggest names off contract in the Telstra Premiership.

The Tigers are unlikely to take up further negotiations with Addo-Carr as they look elsewhere in the market.

Canterbury have now stepped up their pursuit with a lucrative contract that would tie Addo-Carr up until the end of 2025.

A move to South Sydney has also been suggested repeatedly given Addo-Carr's ties to their playing group and James Roberts's recent exit freeing up salary cap space at Redfern, though no formal talks have taken place.

Addo-Carr has spoken of his desire to try his hand at fullback, an opportunity both the Tigers and Bulldogs have room to accommodate.

New coach Trent Barrett met Addo-Carr at Belmore Sports Ground last week as the Bulldogs pursue another big name backline signing to go with Nick Cotric, Kyle Flanagan and rising Panther Matt Burton (from 2022).

As it stands the Bulldogs have three roster spots left for 2021.

Barrett said earlier this week on SEN Radio that the club had not given up on securing an early release for Burton, a scenario Penrith CEO Brian Fletcher is loath to entertain.

"We’re definitely not done and dusted," Barrett said.

"We’ve got three spots still available and obviously one will be held for Matt Burton if we can try and do a deal and get him out early but the other two spots, we have a very clear idea of what we need and who we need to go after."