Bad recruitment decisions have burned the Wests Tigers in the past and after withdrawing interest in Josh Addo-Carr, the club is prepared to hold fire in the NRL market.
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Despite being linked to unwanted Penrith star Josh Mansour as a replacement for the NSW and Australia star, it's understood the Wests Tigers are not interested.
Although the Tigers could secure the 30-year-old Mansour on a cut-price deal for 2021, the risk of losing rising talent appears too big.
Mansour is contracted for around $500,000 next year but has been told by the Panthers he will be playing reserve grade, with the club to pay some of his salary should another club sign him for 2021.
However, the Tigers are understood to have no appetite to block the path of rising stars Tommy Talau and Asu Kepaoa by signing another winger.
Despite club favourite David Nofoaluma testing the NRL market for a bigger contract at the end of next season, the Tigers are confident of re-signing him.
That would leave just one spot on the wing for Kepaoa and Talau to fight for in 2021, with both considered rising stars of the game.
The Tigers have been burned in the past by not holding onto young players with talent - letting Ryan Papenhuyzen, and ironically, Addo-Carr slip through their grip to join Melbourne.
Both have since established themselves as two of the hottest talents in the NRL, earning premierships and representative honours with the Storm.
The Tigers are not willing to make the same mistakes again as they look to overturn a nine-year semi-finals drought in 2021.
Without Addo-Carr the Tigers are short a fullback in 2021 with Moses Mbye and Adam Doueihi the two options.
However, they are still hopeful Daine Laurie will be released by the Panthers for the upcoming season.
The 21-year-old fullback has signed with the Tigers from 2022 but could join the club a year early if released by Penrith.
It comes as Canterbury tabled a four-year offer to Addo-Carr worth $500,000 a season for 2022 and beyond.
The Melbourne speedster had signed a head of agreement with the Tigers to join next season but the two clubs were unable to find a suitable player to swap.
It's understood South Sydney could also be interested in the NSW star once he becomes available at the end of 2021.
Australian Associated Press
