Bulldogs drop off the chase as Latrell responds to scrutiny

Canterbury CEO Andrew Hill says the Bulldogs will not be pursuing Roosters centre Latrell Mitchell as he tests his value on the open market.

Mitchell has also gone on the front foot, posting an Instagram story to reassure Roosters fans he intends to honour his contract.

"Thank you to everyone that's on my side and are supporting me. I really do appreciate it. Doesn't go unnoticed," he wrote.

"Just want to clear up anything that is going on in the media!! I still have a year with the Sydney Roosters. I just want to spend some time with my family an (sic) enjoy my break, is that too much to ask for?"

The Bulldogs have been linked with Mitchell for much of 2019 but they have moved to douse links with the 22-year-old after the international held a meeting with a Canterbury official in recent weeks.

"Usually we don’t make comment around our recruitment and retention strategies," Hill said.

"However, with all the speculation around this matter we thought it was the right thing to do by everyone to confirm we won’t pursue an interest in Latrell Mitchell."

The Bulldogs' public comments come following a recruitment and retention committee meeting involving Hill, coach Dean Pay and football manager Steve Price on Friday.

The club remains well and truly in the market for at least one marquee player in 2021 when its salary cap pressure eases further, but most of its 2020 cap has already been spent.

Canterbury’s retention spree has resulted in Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Lachlan Lewis and Renouf Tuomonga re-signing in the past week.

The Roosters remain open to granting Mitchell a release from the final year of his contract after withdrawing their extension offer on Tuesday.