So is he definitely off or is it just the usual internet rumours? Are Saints trying to extend his contract or happy to let him go? If so why?

I think the managment should do whatever they can to keep him. When fit he's the difference between us being reasonably competitive and and being up there with the best in the comp.

It will come down to money and we will lose him.

Apparently both parties agreed to put contract talks on hold until pryce proves his fitness. If he manages it hopefully we get a deal sorted because he is still a class act

Which was common sense but if it comes down to a bidding war then wave goodbye to Leon.

Losing Kyle, pryce and Graham altogether is another massive loss to saints.

I agree, Leon has come out quite a few times to say he is happy and settled at Saints, maybe that will be a factor. On the negative side we seem to be reluctant to give longer deals to older players(which for the most part is sensible) , I'd imagine Leon would be looking for a 2-3 year deal, some clubs might even offer him 4. I bet saints top end is 2

If we can give TP a 2yr deal, laffranchi a 2yr deal, lance a 4yr deal, meli a 2yr deal then the is no reason why Leon can't get a 2 year deal.

What if Leon wants more money than the club are prepared to offer? That would be a reason for him not getting a two year deal.

Nobody knows what the situation is but I've a feeling the bulls and Catalan will offer more than us.

We shouldn't be held ransom and pay over the odds but we certainly should be in their fighting to keep such a important player.

Why are so many people convinced that the Bulls and Cats can or will pay more than us?

Because we don't like paying big wages. We like doing things on the cheap. If we can get a young untried kid in to replace Leon then we will.

It might not be all about money though for Pryce. His quotes suggest he is happy at Saints and wants to get back to his normal game. Not sure if Bradford would be move for short term success and Catalans might sound attractive but does he want all that travel towards the end of his career.
He has already mentioned he would play in any position for saints as long he is in the team. For me he still offers more than the releasing of Longy's, Gilmore, Cunningham etc.
At the end of the day it might depend on his medical condition and the chairmanship short term to long term plan, if Lance fails in his first year (perry) and we don,t keep Pryce, then 2012 could be deja vu 2011. Tough call.

If we want to win trophies, we need him. IMO Lance isn't good enough to quite fill his boots.