STEVE Price says Gareth Widdop was as surprised as he was to hear rumours linking him with a move away from Warrington Wolves.

Reports emerged in the Australian media earlier this week claiming half-back Widdop, who is in the first season of a three-year marquee deal with The Wire, has sounded out former club St George Illawarra Dragons about a return for 2021.

Both clubs have moved to pour cold water on the rumours, with Price saying he was “totally blindsided” by the report.

A potential swap deal involving Widdop and Dragons half-back Corey Norman was mooted, with the Queensland representative moving to England.

However, Price says a move for Norman will “definitely not be happening.”

“I was totally blindsided by it,” he said.

“Gareth’s really happy at our club and is enjoying his time at Warrington Wolves. He’s contracted here for a number of years.

“The player that was linked to us – that will definitely not be happening. He wouldn’t have even come into my thought process.

“Gareth was as surprised as I was about it when I spoke to him.”