Andrew Johns reveals bombshell Daly Cherry-Evans rumour

Manly star Daly Cherry-Evans has laughed off rumours he could leave Manly before the end of his contract — but the rumours are swirling.

The Queensland State of Origin captain was this week linked with a move to the Broncos with reports claiming the Broncos are internally discussing a play for the halfback’s signature.

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Cherry-Evans has been adamant he is staying at Manly through to the end of his monster contract, which expires at the end of 2022.

However, there is speculation Manly would consider letting the superstar leave in an attempt to clear up the club’s salary cap mess.

While the Broncos have been the club publicly linked to the 32-year-old, rugby league legend Andrew Johns and NSW State of Origin coach Brad Fittler revealed Thursday there is another player in the market with South Sydney rumoured to be chasing Cherry-Evans.

Rabbitohs halfback Adam Reynolds is reportedly set to sign with Cronulla on a three-year deal, leaving Souths needing to chase a new halfback or roll the dice on either veteran Benji Marshall or talented juniors coming through the club’s development system.

Fittler and Johns have heard the Bunnies are more interested in the prospect of putting Cherry-Evans alongside star five-eighth Cody Walker.

“There was a rumour he was going to Souths,” Fittler told Channel 9.

Johns added: “I heard that rumour too, that he was going to Souths. He really enjoyed being coached by Wayne [Bennett].”

DCE.Source:Getty Images

Even with a handful of genuine stars, Manly looks a mess.Source:Getty Images

Bennett and Cherry-Evans pulled off one of the biggest upsets in State of Origin history last year in guiding the Maroons to a series win over NSW.

Bennett’s future, however, is reportedly up in the air still with the veteran coach declaring he will be moving to Brisbane at the end of the year.

He is reportedly considering staying with Souths in an advisor position, however, reports earlier this year speculated Bennett would be open to a return to the Broncos as a coaching director alongside coach Kevin Walters.

If Bennett is the focus of Cherry-Evans’ attraction the pair could both be making a bombshell move to the Broncos.

The Broncos are reportedly also discussing a bombshell double raid on Knights superstar Kalyn Ponga and Eels star Mitchell Moses.

In a swoop that would be among the biggest ever seen in the NRL, the Broncos roster has been plunged further into disarray with news emerging Tuesday night that the club is considering a roster clean out to create space for a potential play at Ponga and Mitchell Moses.

The extraordinary double raid comes as reports emerged the Broncos are also keeping their eyes on Manly star Cherry-Evans and Sharks playmaker Shaun Johnson.

Kevin Walters has failed to pull the club out of its downwards spiral since taking over as coach and the club’s playmaking combinations have been a complete mess with Brodie Croft, Anthony Milford and Tom Dearden all struggling.

While Milford was dropped to reserve grade earlier this month, Walters backflipped on his original decision when announcing his team for Round 8, which saw Milford promoted and both Croft and Dearden dropped following the club’s ugly loss to Parramatta.

The switches came after Dearden announced his decision to join the Cowboys from the start of the 2022 season — and with Milford reportedly facing the prospect of failing to receive a contract extension offer from the Broncos.

Milford’s rich deal expires at the end of 2021.

The uncertainty surrounding the Broncos’ future was plunged deeper into mystery when it was revealed star forward Matt Lodge has also been given permission to negotiate with rival clubs, despite having a long term deal to the end of 2024 with the club.

It was first reported in December the Broncos would be willing to pay up to $400,000 per season if a rival club was prepared to take on the reported $2.4 million remaining on the final three years of Lodges’ contract.

Mitchell Moses has a few weeks to decide if he wants to stay at Parramatta.Source:Getty Images

Daly Cherry-Evans is on the Broncos’ radar despite still having a long-term contract with Manly.Source:Getty Images

NRL 360 host Paul Kent told Fox League Tuesday the Broncos plan to use the money cleared up by Lodge’s departure and add it to their pool of salary cap space available to lure a star halfback to the club.

Kent and The Australian’s Brent Read told Fox League on Tuesday night the Broncos are discussing fairytale combinations between Moses, Ponga, Johnson and Daly Cherry-Evans.

The club has already tabled a rich deal for Kotoni Staggs and the club reportedly sees the centre as the club’s future five-eighth.

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