Bradford Bulls hope on Lawford as new signings considered

He also confirmed that Bulls would not rule out any incomings before the August 4 transfer deadline.

Numerous Super League clubs are after Lawford, with Bulls in line for around £40,000 if he does depart.

And while Hirst could not rule out the teenager departing, the club are actively trying to keep him.

He said: “It’s not true that Myles has gone, and we’re in negotiations with him right now about extending his stay.

“Others are interested in him though, including those clubs from Super League.

Myles Lawford's future is up for discussion, but Jason Hirst insists it has not been sorted yet. (Image: Tom Pearson.)

“We’ve shown our commitment to the club’s youngsters by handing new deals top players like Billy Jowitt and Jayden Myers.

“We will always try and retain our best players but the reality is not as simple as that. Look at Kai Pearce-Paul and Will Pryce leaving Super League clubs for example.

“If we have a player who’s got an offer from Super League, we wouldn’t stand in their way if they wanted to better themselves and try playing top-flight rugby league, as it wouldn’t be morally right.

“Once a player decides he wants to go, you can argue you’ve lost him anyway.

“If that happens, I have to make sure we get the right compensation and transfer fee, to then invest that back into the academy and first team.”

Bulls received plenty of compensation after agreeing to sell George Flanagan Jr to Huddersfield for 2024. (Image: Tom Pearson.)

Hirst did not give too much away regarding retention of existing players, simply saying he expects there to be “some movement, like every other club”.

The CEO also confirmed that while the dual-registration deal with Leeds still exists and is there to use if needed, it hadn’t worked out as well as the club hoped.

He also lamented the fact that injuries at Headingley restricted Bulls’ usage of Liam Tindall to just four games.

That suggests any further recruitment for 2023 will be more permanent, and Hirst said: “We’ve brought in the likes of Jason Baitieri, Lee Gaskell and James Segeyaro, and we’ve got the money in our budget to bring others in.”

James Segeyaro has had a positive impact since joining the Bulls. (Image: Tom Pearson.)

But he warned: “We won’t bring a player in just to say we have done, as anyone coming in now has to be ready to go into the matchday 17.

“It’s a difficult time as everyone is scrambling for signings, but we are in active discussions for players.

“We can’t guarantee we’ll get anyone in, but if not, it won’t be through a lack of effort.

“We have a list of targets and players we think can strengthen us.”