NRL 2025 transfer news: Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall meets with Roosters star Terrell May

Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall has made his pitch to Sydney Roosters forward Terrell May as the all-Sydney race for his signature heats up. See the latest transfer news.

Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall has personally pitched to Roosters forward Terrell May as the race for the Samoan prop’s signature turns into an all-Sydney shootout between the Tigers, the Bulldogs and St George Illawarra.

This masthead understands that May and Marshall met on Tuesday as the powerhouse forward completed his initial round of talks with the three clubs looking to sign him from the Roosters, having been granted permission to explore his options on the open market.

May has also spoken to Dragons coach Shane Flanagan and Dogs’ boss Cameron Ciraldo and is expected to make a final call on his future in the next fortnight.

It is understood May walked away from talks with Marshall impressed with his plans for the club and the Tigers have a significant factor in their favour in the form of Jarome Luai, who is close to the May family.

A tug of war for Terrell May has begun between the Tigers, Dragons and Bulldogs. Picture: NRL Imagery

Luai is yet to begin training with the Tigers but it is believed he spoke to May while they were in camp together in England with the Samoan team.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson, who called May in England to inform him of the club’s decision to let him leave, broke his silence on that decision on Tuesday as the club launched a record sponsorship deal with Chinese auto manufacturer BYD, believed to be worth close to $10 million over the next five years.

Robinson dismissed rumours that May’s character had played a role in the club’s decision to cut him loose.

“They’re difficult ones,” Robinson said.

“Terrell is a really, really good player. That’s why I played him in so many games this year. But it does give opportunities to some guys underneath that to play more.

Benji Marshall has met with May, who was reportedly impressed by the West Tigers coach. Picture: Getty Images

“Terrell is not going to have trouble finding a club, the quality he plays with. He is not of bad character, he has not done anything wrong.

“I think that has been thrown out there. He has been a value add to our group and there are just some small bits there around how we want to play and also the longevity of Terrell.

“We felt like it was time to move in a different direction and expressed that to Terrell. The difficult thing has been that people have questioned his character around that and that shouldn’t be the case.”

May played 27 games this year and was rewarded for his form with a contract extension, only to be told he was free to leave six months after inking that new deal.

“People go what is the reason?” Robinson said. “Sometimes there is a small two or three reasons and it does give an opportunity for some guys. There is 27 games there for someone to play,” Robinson said.

If the Tigers manage to secure his signature, it would represent a homecoming of sorts. May played pre-season trials for the club alongside the likes of Adam Douehi and Alex Seyfarth in the 2020 pre-season before finding a home in first grade at the Roosters.

Originally published as NRL 2025 transfer news: Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall meets with Roosters star Terrell May