Jarome Luai, a talented halfback, is expected to sign with a new management company this week, therefore the Penrith Panthers will be in a race to recruit him.
As of November 1, Luai, whose contract expires at the end of 2024, is free to speak with other teams.
Although Ivan Cleary, the head coach of the Penrith Panthers, and Nathan Cleary, his halves partner, have voiced great confidence in their abilities to retain the star half, Luai is expected to test the free market to determine his worth.
Luai is expected to reveal this week that he has signed with Black Money Enterprises, according to Danny Weidler of Channel 9.
Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker, stars of the South Sydney Rabbitohs, are among the athletes represented by the management firm.
After his previous management contract expired, Luai had a 90-day cooling-off period. While it was rumored that during that time, they had given him permission to sign on his own, no agreement has yet been reached with Penrith, meaning he will likely enter the free market.
It indicates that Luai will start to consider offers from competing teams in just two weeks, when there may be an estimated $300,000 annual difference.
According to reports, the Panthers can only pay Luai about $700,000 per season, but other teams could be able to make him a million-dollar player.
The Canberra Raiders, who have yet to find a replacement for Jack Wighton, who will leave for South Sydney before the start of the 2019 season, are one of the teams rumored to be interested in Luai.
Other teams, such as the Newcastle Knights and St. George Illawarra Dragons, might also express interest. Kieran Foran is expected to retire at the end of 2024, and the Gold Coast Titans might be persuaded to make a move because there aren’t many other great halves available.
