Bradford Bulls are stepping up their bid to sign Wigan ace Henry Paul and set up a potentially explosive pairing with brother Robbie at Odsal next season.

Bulls chairman Chris Caisley has previously denied repeated speculation of a move for the Central Park star but T&A Sport understands secret talks have been held with the player over the last few days.

Henry, 24, has already said he would jump at the chance to team up with Robbie when his contract runs out at the end of the season, ending a four year spell with the Warriors.

The matter is set to come to a head next week when Henry sits down with coach John Monie for crucial talks on the New Zealand star's future. Monie recently signed former Australian Test stand-off Greg Florimo from North Sydney on a two year contract fuelling speculation that Paul did not figure in his plans.

"I said two months ago that we would sit down with Henry after the Leeds game this weekend, so we'll set up a meeting with him and his agent," said Monie.

"The club has an option on Henry. If we take it up, he will be here for another two years, if not he will be free to look around.

"I have an open mind. I don't want to lose a quality player but we need to sit down and discuss it. There are other things coming into it like the salary cap."

"I am in no-man's land," said Paul who has also been linked with London Broncos and Huddersfield. "The club haven't offered me a new contract, they haven't suggested anything. "But I'm not really worried. I'll just finish the season and see what's going to happen."

Paul was in superb two-try form at the weekend as the Warriors maintained their four-point lead at the top of Super League with a 44-6 thrashing of Sheffield Eagles.

He said recently: "I'd love to play with Robbie, put it that way. If I'm not at Wigan after this season, Bradford will be my first choice."

Coach Matthew Elliott is expected to make a number of overseas signings and is already thought to have snapped up Cronulla centre Nick Zisti on a three year contract.

Elliott has space on the five-man overseas quota for next season when Robbie Paul and Tevita Vaikona become exempt after playing in this country for five years. Another spot will be available following the decision of skipper Graeme Bradley to retire at the end of the season.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.