I actually admire the way Lenagan does business in regards to player contracts , the use of the optional last year can presumably activated by either party. and you'd think players agents would have got wise to it by now.
They activated it in relation to Gareth Hock , Harrison Hansen, Darrell Goulding and now Scott Taylor.
Clubs invest years in getting players to a position when they become admired by other teams so they are protecting their investment , the optional year also is insurance to players if the they want to stay on and the clubs have other ideas so it works both ways
They also held out for transfer fees for under contract players Sam Tomkins & Lee Mossop when they fancied a sun tan and a go in the NRL.
They also insist in a 1st refusal clause when they return to SL
They paid up mid season for Matty Smith, when it could have been easier to watch our demise & pick him up close season.
If you compare Wigans way of doing business with the way Leeds acquired ' homesick ' Joel Moon