Jarome Luai’s signature takes fresh $4.5 million twist after club’s secret meeting

The Panthers are set to decide on his new contract on May 8.

Jarome Luai is at the center of contract speculation in the NRL world over who would join him in a mega deal, but it appears another club has joined the race late in the game. Luay looks set to leave the Panthers, with the West Tigers set to offer him a sensational $4.5 million four-year contract.

Luay is the biggest star on the open market and has been regularly linked to the Tigers. The Panthers, who won the Premier League title for the third consecutive season, have announced a five-eighths two-year contract extension worth $1.7 million.

However, Luay could be ready to look for more money as the West Tigers are willing to earn $1.1 million per season. Those numbers may seem insurmountable for most clubs, but The Daily Telegraph reported on Wednesday that the Bulldogs have held a formal meeting with Luay and could sign him to the club.

The Bulldogs are undergoing a major rebuild and senior football player Gus Gould is reportedly interested in Luay. 58th coach Cameron worked with Ciraldo at Penrith. Luay may be interested in the Bulldogs’ draft direction, but the Tigers’ offer of just over $1.1 million per season remains the highest bid. This led to Luay’s most important decision since entering the public markets. While the Bulldogs are interested in Luay, Warriors forward Addin Fonua-Blake is also one of Canterbury’s top targets. Despite his meetings with the Bulldogs and Gould, The Daily Telegraph reported that Luai was tipped to move to Wests Tigers after a meeting with coach Benji Marshall. Panthers coach Ivan Cleary is keen to keep Luai but the lack of wages appears to be working against Penrith. Wests Tigers are leading the race for Jarome Luai’s signature.

Last week, the Daily Telegraph’s Dave Riccio spoke to SEN radio about Marshall’s influence around negotiations for the NSW and Samoa Test star. “Benji Marshall has the ability to follow his dreams and sell them to Louis… During a recent visit to Luai Benji’s home, Riccio said the business is “starting to look a little more attractive.” “Marshall was very interested in 5/8. “Let’s not forget the relationship between Api Koroisau and ex-Panthers Charlie Staines.” Fox League’s James Hooper also cited Luay’s close friendship with Coroisau as a major factor in his potential move, with a league reporter saying he had heard “huge rumors” that the Tigers were lining up a big deal.

The Bulldogs are set to sign Luay, who has several former Panthers teammates at Canterbury. Stephen Crichton, William Kikau and Matt Burton have all moved to the Bulldogs after playing for the Panthers in recent years.