Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire has confirmed he wants Storm flyer Josh Addo-Carr to give him a shot at fullback but won't entertain trading David Nofoaluma to help get a deal done.
As reported by NRL.com on Tuesday, the Tigers are understood to have offered Addo-Carr a multimillion-dollar, four-year contract to entice him back to the club where he made his Telstra Premiership debut in 2016.
The NSW and Australian star is hoping to play fullback and Maguire told media on Wednesday that Addo-Carr possesses "some attributes" to possibly switch from the wing.
Addo-Carr is signed to Melbourne in 2021 but the Storm will release him on compassionate grounds provided they can secure a suitable replacement.
"I spoke to Josh, but I have no idea where the management are with that one," Maguire said in the lead-up to Thursday's clash with South Sydney.
"Obviously a player of that calibre, you're always looking to improve your team so you'd be crazy not to be talking to someone like that.
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"I think he's definitely got some attributes [for a fullback]. It'd take a lot of work to be able to show that but with some time that may happen.
"He's quick, he's fast. He knows how to score tries. I think his energy and the way he plays the game, he's very determined.
"That's one thing, you ask me about [desirable] attributes of players, just the determination and the want to win all the little moments. He's a competitor."
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While the Tigers have previously been criticised for paying over market value to attract talent, Maguire said he doesn't "delve into" player salaries and would let management sort out Addo-Carr's potential deal.
The coach emphatically shut down any suggestion Nofoaluma, who is contracted to the Tigers in 2021, could be presented to the Storm in exchange for Addo-Carr.
Melbourne had been interested in South Sydney premiership winner Alex Johnston but the winger has agreed to re-sign with the Rabbitohs.
"No chance - there's no way in the world that Dave's leaving," Maguire said.
"He loves this club and you can see by the way he plays. And I really enjoy coaching Dave. Dave's a Wests Tigers player and you can see the passion in what he does. He's not going anywhere."
Nofoaluma spoke about his strong relationship with Maguire following last Saturday's thrilling comeback win over Manly that kept the Tigers in the finals hunt.
"When Madge arrived, I think I just bought into the structure that he wanted and what he wanted out of the players. I really adapted to how he wanted to play," he said.
The 26-year-old, who leads the league with 17 tries, has been endorsed for a NSW Origin debut by Maguire and he didn't hide his hopes of being chosen to face Queensland in November.
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"It'd be great to be able to achieve those honours. I've worked really hard going into this season so it's nice to get some rewards, especially when you put in a lot of effort personally, on and off the field," Nofoaluma said.
"It'd definitely be something that I'd really love ... I've been letting my game do a lot of the talking and now it's a matter of the selectors picking me."
Meanwhile, Maguire reiterated there was no problem with the club's culture after non-playing pair Josh Reynolds and Russell Packer left at half-time against Manly at Brookvale.
The former representative stars are contracted to the Tigers next season and they remain in Maguire's plans.
"Our commitment to what we're trying to achieve from when those boys first turned up hasn't changed," Maguire said.
"They're committed to what we're about and whilst they're signed and in my playing group, we're going to do everything possible together to make sure we get the results we're after … When the time's right they'll get selected."
