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Paul Gallen - Source: Getty -
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Cronulla has expressed surprise at a report that controversial star Paul Gallen wants to quit the Sharks and join another NRL club.
Cronulla chief executive Richard Fisk issued a statement on Tuesday stressing that former skipper Gallen was "an integral part of the club's plans" for the length of his contract until the end of 2011.
It followed a Daily Telegraph report that Gallen was aggrieved after his latest disciplinary fine from the club last week and approaches had been made on his behalf to Wests Tigers and Manly about joining them in 2010.
"I am aware that Paul was disappointed to be fined for his most recent off-field indiscretion, but having spoken to him and his manager on several occasions I am surprised to read today's story," said Fisk.
"These discussions covered a variety of issues in relation to Paul's on-going career at the Sharks and no official request for a release has been received by the club."
Gallen was fined $A10,000 last week for urinating in public, that penalty coming after the fiery Test forward was stripped of the captaincy and fined $A10,000 for a racial slur earlier this year.
The Telegraph said Gallen had told friends he no longer felt inclined to return to Sharks training which resumes on January 11 after the Christmas break.
It said Manly and Wests Tigers had both shown interest, with Manly best placed to attract Gallen, if available, after Matt Orford's $A250,000 contract extension talks collapsed last month.
