South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett has hit out at speculation the club was moving to extend the contract of stand-in captain Cody Walker, in turn preventing the Rabbitohs from offering Adam Reynolds a new deal.
Walker pulled out of a scheduled media appearance this morning, amid speculation he was uncomfortable at suggestions he was responsible for Reynolds departing the club.
Reynolds has been at Souths since 2012, but will have to look elsewhere if he's to continue his NRL career beyond this season, after negotiations with the Rabbitohs broke down.
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Souths were prepared to offer Reynolds a one-year extension, but the 30-year-old wants a longer deal.
He's been linked to a move to either Cronulla or Brisbane for 2022.
But Bennett says no discussions have taken place with Walker at this stage.
"I am saying that the club is not in negotiations with Cody Walker as his contract does not expire until the end of 2022," Bennett said, per News Corp.
"The club value him highly and those negotiations will take place in 2022."
Bennett, who will hand over the reins to Jason Demetriou for next season, said any possible extension of Walker's contract was irrelevant to the situation involving Reynolds.
"It has nothing to do with Adam Reynolds at all," he said.
"Adam Reynolds is a done deal, he will be leaving the club. Everybody knows that, and we are all handling that with respect and we have all moved on from there.
"It has nothing to do with Adam Reynolds."
Bennett's comments suggest Souths won't cave in and offer Reynolds a longer-term deal.
Late last month incoming Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon met with Reynolds, with a three-year, $2.4 million deal understood to be on the table.
The Sharks may have the edge over the Broncos when it comes to getting Reynolds' signature on a contract, with the family man likely to be keen to stay in Sydney.
The Rabbitohs were a rabble against Melbourne in the absence of the Reynolds, with the Storm running riot to the tune of 50-0.
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