Warrington Wolves coach Steve Price says he was "blindsided" by reports that Gareth Widdop could return to St George Illawarra Dragons.
News Corp this week reported that Widdop wanted to head back to the NRL for personal reasons just seven months after signing a three-year deal with Warrington.
It was claimed Corey Norman had been offered to the Wolves in exchange for Widdop after the Dragons five-eighth was dropped for the clash with Sydney Roosters.
Price has ruled out the possibility of half-back Widdop leaving the Super League club as they prepare to return to action against Hull KR on Saturday following a hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.
He told reporters on Wednesday: "I was totally blindsided by that. Gareth is really happy at our club.
"He's really enjoyed his time here at Warrington Wolves. He is contracted here for a number of years now and the player that has been linked to us – that will definitely not be happening. He would not even come into my thought process."
Dragons coach Paul McGregor was also surprised by talk of Widdop and Norman swapping clubs.
He said earlier in the day: "The first time [Norman] hasn't been picked in 18 months at the club and we're talking about Gareth coming back already.
"That's too unfair at this raw stage to even talk about it. And it hasn't been mentioned to me with the recruitment either.
"I have not been told anything about that and it's just so unfair to the player, in Corey, that's here. We want Corey to play well this year."
