Wigan Warriors' Oliver Gildart on the radar of NRL club

Oliver Gildart scoring a stunning try for England

The Wigan centre is under contract until the end of 2021 but has a release clause allowing him to leave if a set, but undisclosed, transfer fee is paid.

Canterbury Bulldogs have had him on their radar for some time and are now set to swoop in to bolster their outside backs, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Gildart, who turned 24 yesterday, has never shied away from the fact he wants to test himself Down Under at some stage of his career.

In May he appointed an Australia-based agent, Ultra Management run by Sam Ayoub - who represents both coach Adrian Lam and halfback Jackson Hastings

He said at the time: “The NRL is definitely something I want to do at some stage and if anything comes about I’d look at it."

The Bulldogs recently appointed former Wigan star Trent Barrett as their coach for 2021.

A move to the club would reunite Gildart with England team-mate Luke Thompson - they used to play in the same St Edmund Arrowsmith High school team, along with Wigan's Joe Burgess.

If Canterbury are deterred by the transfer fee - and no others join the hunt - then he would stay at Wigan next season with the possibility he would leave for free when his deal expired.

Gildart has already won two Grand Finals and a World Club Challenge with his hometown club. He dislocated his shoulder playing for Great Britain last autumn and, while healed, he is expected to miss three or four games as he finishes his rehab.

Zak Hardaker and Jake Bibby are set to play centre against Wakefield on Sunday, and Wigan also have Chris Hankinson in the mix.

Gildart's close friend Joe Burgess - another old school mate - previously played at Sydney Roosters and Souths while pals Ryan Sutton and George Williams are at Canberra.

The Telegraph report also says Saints prop Alex Walmsley, 30, is also wanted by the Bulldogs despite being under contract with the Super League champions until the end of 2022.

Wigan halfback Jackson Hastings also has a clause allowing him to leave at the end of this season, for free, if he chooses to return to the NRL.