Former labor party senator Graham Richardson has been instrumental in negotiating a $750,000 compensation payment to the Bulldogs for the release of Sonny Bill Williams to play rugby union in France.
Bulldogs CEO Todd Greenberg told News Limited he was hopeful of finalising the agreement over the weekend.
Greenberg spoke with Richardson on several occasions yesterday in the hope of finalising an agreement over the weekend, following Williams' decision to comply with the NSW Supreme Court Injunction and sit out Toulon's recent trial match.
The decision to comply with the Supreme Courts illustrated that Williams and his advisors did not want to risk jail time in Australia and seizure of their assets.
Negotiations between the Bulldogs and Toulon stepped into second gear after Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal threatened the Bulldogs to speed up a settlement or risk the consequences.
It was a remark interpreted by Greenberg as a threat, making accusations about the club's compliance with the salary cap.
"We'll say no more today about the way Sonny Bill got on with the Bulldogs or about the way the club was managed from the inside because negotiations are under way," Boudjellal said.
"We are hoping for a positive issue because, if not, there are a lot of things that can come out into the open and have very bad consequences for the Bulldogs and (NRL)."
Boudjella also threatened to sue the Bulldogs for moral-harassment under French law in relation to their attempts to serve Williams with court documents.
Greenberg dismissed Boudjella's blackmail attempts - insisting the Bulldogs club had 'nothing to hide' in relation to the salary cap.
"The Bulldogs have been honest, open and transparent in these discussions with Sonny Bill Williams and his management," Greenberg said.
NRL boss David Gallop said he was happy with the progress the two parties were making.
"It's not ideal but the big issue for us was obtaining the injunction and the fact that he complied with it by not playing then entering into negotiations with the Bulldogs.
"It's a substantial sum but it was never going to finish completely satisfactorily.
"Walking out mid-contract is still a shock to most people in the game."
