How fans reacted to news of Catalans' interest in Sam Tomkins

Dragons coach Steve McNamara wants the ex-England No.1 on board in 2019.

And French newspaper L’Independent has since reported a move “seems to be almost certain”.

Tomkins is out of contract at the end of this year, though the Warriors do have a one-year option on his lucrative, marquee deal which they could exercise.

Rumours of Catalans’ interest – revealed in the Wigan Observer – prompted a wave of reaction from supporters.

Ste Morgan tweeted: “The culture at Catalans need to change and they could build a team around Tomkins and Mcilorum.”

Robbo wrote: “Would be mind boggling if we did just let him go.”

Neil McKeown tweeted: “ Seems madness as he’ll get contract extension from Wigan. Doubt he’d wanna move to Catalan as it’s always crazy over there.”

On the Wigantoday Facebook page, David Swift wrote: “Why would he go there (apart from the summer weather)?”

Mike Binder asked whether it was a delayed April Fool’s prank!

Sidney Gaskell wrote: “If they let him go Wigan have lost the plot altogether a good three seasons in him yet.”

Karen Barry write: “Why would he commit to Catalans they are in relegation zone?”

Alex Graham was more measured and considered the implications keeping him may have on the composition of the rest of the squad.

“Would like to keep him at the club but not as a marquee player. If that means he’s Catalans-bound then so be it,” he wrote.

Paul Seddon wrote: “I just can’t see it. Sam is such a competitor and wants to win everything. He’s not going to do that at Catalans.”

Phil Collier wrote: “Can’t help but thinking if Tomkins really is pivotal to the team in Shaun Wane’s and the clubs opinion; why have they let his contract enter the final year when he’ll undoubtedly have several options on the table? Surely this should have been sorted last season?”

Tracey Buckley wrote: “Come on Wigan get a contract sorted out for him.”

Tomkins burst on the scene in 2008 and quickly became a fans’ favourite.

The 2012 Man of Steel moved to the NRL with New Zealand Warriors but returned home after two years, becoming Super League’s first ‘marquee’ player – meaning a portion of his lucrative deal does not count on the salary cap.

His last two seasons have been disrupted by injury but he has started this year in terrific form, and he opened the scoring in yesterday’s 44-6 win against Hull KR.