JUSTIN Olam will not be joining Warrington Wolves for 2024, the Warrington Guardian understands.

Rumours had started to circulate about revived Wire interest in the powerful Melbourne Storm centre as incoming head coach Sam Burgess continues to shape his squad for the 2024 campaign.

Burgess was believed to have targeted Olam as a high-profile potential addition to his side for his arrival after he lost his place in the Storm’s first-team towards the latter part of the campaign.

However, it is understood that, while the club’s interest in the Papua New Guinea international was genuine at one stage, a deal to bring him to The Halliwell Jones Stadium is now unlikely to go ahead with the club having moved on to other targets.

There are various complicating factors, not least the fact Olam is in the midst of a long-term contract with Melbourne – his current deal is not due to expire until the end of the 2026 season, so a release would have to be negotiated.

Furthermore, all seven of The Wire’s overseas quota spots for 2024 are taken as things stand, with prop Zane Musgrove taking the final spot after his signing was confirmed on Thursday.

Olam’s compatriot Rodrick Tai and fellow new signing Lachlan Fitzgibbon also take up spots alongside existing squad members Matt Dufty, Paul Vaughan, Sam Kasiano and Josh Drinkwater, meaning one of those players would have to leave if anymore overseas players are to arrive.

Despite the departures of Peter Mata’utia and Greg Minikin following this season, Warrington do have several centre options for 2024 including Tai, Connor Wrench and Stefan Ratchford as well as the returning Toby King, who will rejoin the squad when his loan spell with Wigan Warriors concludes.