Luciano Leilua reportedly wants $3.6m to leave North Queensland

A Cowboys standout is keen to make a move, but his asking price has shocked some rival NRL clubs keen on his services.

Luciano Leilua of the Cowboys celebrates after scoring a try last season. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Cowboys star Luciano Leilua is reportedly shopping himself to rival NRL clubs and chasing a four-year deal worth a staggering $900,000 per season.

The Dragons have spoken with Leilua about a return to their club, while the Raiders are also interested but they’re baulking at the backrower’s asking price.

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Leilua, 27, has requested an immediate release from his contract that runs until the end of 2025 and he sat down with Dragons coach Shane Flanagan this week.

It marks the Red V’s second crack at Leilua inside 12 months but this time North Queensland are willing to let him go due to their tight salary cap and Canberra are “monitoring” the situation.

Luciano Leilua has named a big asking price to leave Townsville. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

“They actually reached out for Luciano last year, they went through the front door and said we’re keen on speaking to Luciano you should consider letting him go,” journalist Brent Read said on Triple M.

“But at the time the Cowboys said no because Toddy Payten was a huge fan of him. The situation now is the cap is really tight, they’ve got Helium Luki they’ve got Rueben Cotter due for an upgrade and something had to give and in the end it’s Luciano who will make way so they can keep those guys.

“Canberra’s issue is the price is astronomical, there’s been talk that Luciano’s asking price is minimum four years $900,000 … certainly Canberra won’t go there.

“If they’re going to throw that money around I suspect they’ll go for David Fifita because he’s got that clause in his contract that he has until Round 10 to pick up. But they’re certainly monitoring the situation with Luciano.”

David Fifita is another wanted man. NRL Photos

NRL icon Wendell Sailor said he’d like to welcome Leilua back at the Red V.

“I’d like to see him take a little less and go back to the Dragons because in the next three or four years he could do anything in the game,” Sailor said.

“He’s a great talent but he hasn’t reached his pinnacle yet.”

Leilua debuted for the Dragons in 2016 and played 43 games for the club before stints with the Tigers and most recently the Cowboys.

“I’m of the understanding that it’s a four-year deal that Leilua is hoping to get from the Red V,” journalist Michelle Bishop said on SEN.

“He met with Dragons coach Shane Flanagan (on Tuesday) and he is still in Sydney.

“Leilua will meet with the Dragons CEO and a few other important heads at the club on Wednesday. He wants to come home. He’s not having a lot of fun up there (in Townsville).

Shane Flanagan (right) is desperate to bring more talent into the Dragons. Credit: Supplied.

“If you look at the bigger picture, it’s probably a win-win for the Cowboys because they’ve got a couple of young guns in Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Heilum Luki.

“The Cowboys have plenty of great and young backrowers coming through.

“The Dragons will have to release at least one player from their current roster.

“I’m hearing Corey Allen’s name being mentioned and that’s obviously because of his ACL issue. He will be sidelined for six to nine months so the Dragons may just pay him out.”

ROOSTERS SET TO KEEP YOUNG GUN

The Roosters look set to keep young gun Terrell May now the Bulldogs have pulled out of the race to sign him.

“The Roosters have tabled an offer to him now, he’s got a new manager,” journalist Brent Read said on Triple M.

“He’s looking at a two-year extension, I suspect he’ll end up staying at the Roosters.

“He’s off contract this year and was going to talk to Canterbury but now the Roosters have fired their first shot. I would imagine he’ll sign a minimum two years and I think he’ll stay.”

Originally published as Luciano Leilua reportedly wants $3.6m to leave North Queensland