Mitchell Pearce is reportedly set to request an immediate release from the final year of his Newcastle contract to make the move to Catalans in the UK Super League.
The 32-year-old has been offered a deal worth nearly $1.8 million across three seasons to head to Europe, with the club hoping to land him as their replacement for James Maloney.
As a former NRL-Super League convert, Brett Finch was asked whether he felt the move to the south of France was the right one for Pearce.
“I think it would be (a good move),” Finch replied on SEN 1170 Mornings.
“I haven’t spoken to Mitchell (Pearce) or where he’s at mentally.
“But, it’s a nice way to finish your career, I played the last couple of years of my career with Wigan who are also in the Super League.
“There’s no doubt it’s week-in-week out much easier physically and mentally.
“The top teams are NRL standard, but across the board the standard is not as high.
“You’re living in the south of France which is really nice, and you’re earning good money.”
With a final decision yet to be confirmed, Finch compared Pearce’s touted move to what he’d be expecting with the Knights in the coming seasons.
“On the other hand, you’re in Newcastle and you’re in the firing line,” Finch explained.
“The pressure is on to get the team continually into the semi-finals.
“It just probably depends where Mitchell is at mentally, but it certainly is a nice offer there if he chooses to go away.”
While Finch feels Pearce should head to Europe, he does believe he’ll be more than capable of competing at the highest level still if he decides to stay put.
“One thing about Mitchell is that one of his greatest strengths is his competitiveness,” Finch said.
“If he does decide to stay in Newcastle there’ll be no issues with him being all-in.”
Pearce has played 310 games across his NRL career thus far across stints with both Sydney and Newcastle.
The Dragons will be hoping Pearce can help them go one better in 2022 after losing the Super League Grand Final to St Helens earlier this month.