Exclusive: The Red Devils are in pole position to secure a permanent deal for the 23-year-old forward.

Salford Red Devils have set their sights on a shock swoop Wigan Warriors prop Ollie Partington to head their recruitment drive for 2023. Rugby League Live understands the Reds have emerged as surprise frontrunners to land the 23-year-old after being informed that he was available on the transfer market.

A number of clubs have registered interest in Partington, an England Knights international with over 70 appearances for the Warriors to his name despite his young age. Partington is under contract at Wigan until the end of 2023 but the Warriors have allowed him to pursue opportunities elsewhere in order for him to further his career.

Sources insist there is no issue between Partington and the club and that the relationship between the two parties is healthy. Wigan would be more than happy for Partington to remain a part of the squad next year and rate him highly. However, his first-team opportunities have been harder to come by than in recent years and he was a notable absentee when the Warriors won the Challenge Cup Final in May.

Partington is keen to maximise his chances of playing regularly and being a key player in a pack. As a result, the Warriors have supported his decision and have allowed him to pursue deals elsewhere in order for him to pursue his ambitions.

That is where Salford have come in after identifying him as a player who can take their pack to the next level. The Reds, who are currently pushing for the play-offs, have put a big focus on bolstering their middle unit for 2023 and believe Partington can help them move to the next level moving forward. The opportunity to sign a young, proven British middle is another strong attraction.

It’s thought that news of Partington’s emergence on the market had come to the attention of several clubs, but the Red Devils are the club that appear most likely to land what would go down as a significant coup for Paul Rowley’s side.

A Grand Finalist in 2020, Partington has played twelve times for the Warriors this year. Still only 23, he holds hopes of earning international honours during his career. As for Salford, Partington’s arrival would be one of several additions the club is currently working on as part of big plans for next year.