NRL Market Watch: Roosters close-in on Terrell May, while brother Taylan weighs up Panthers contract extension
A decision on Terrell May’s future at the Roosters is imminent, while his brother Taylan weighs up a $1.5 million contract extension with Penrith. See the latest transfer news
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The Sydney Roosters will meet with Terrell May’s agent on Friday as they hope to finalise a two-year extension for the in-form forward.
It comes as his brother Taylan weighs up a three-year $1.5 million contract offer from the Panthers.
The Roosters have already met Terrell this week but plan to step up talks on Friday when chair Nick Politis and head of recruitment Daniel Anderson hold talks with his manager Dave Rawlings.
Negotiations have dragged on with Terrell after he decided to switch agents, with the Roosters at one point highly frustrated by the prolonged talks.
However, Terrell’s impressive start to the season has them ready to commit to the 24-year-old as they consider upgrading his contract this season as part of a deal that would keep him at the club until the end of 2026.
It is understood the Dragons have been told that Terrell hopes to finalise a deal with his current club before exploring options elsewhere.
While Terrell is close to recommitting to the Roosters, Taylan is considering a three-year contract extension from the Panthers.
The Dragons have also expressed an interest in Taylan while the Storm have also been linked to the Panthers centre.
The brothers have long hoped that they could play together at some part but that now seems unlikely at least in the short-term.
Taylan has shown no ill-effects of the season ending knee injury which sidelined him last year, having shone at centre for Penrith.
While discussions between Taylan and the Panthers continue, Penrith coach Ivan Cleary refused to speculate on Taylan’s future.
“Don’t know, not sure,” Cleary said when asked if May will stay. “I don’t know (if I’m confident).
“I haven’t been reading the articles … I don’t know. I’m not discussing it.”
In other transfer news, the Warriors have extended the contracts of key spine players Luke Metcalf and Freddy Lussick until the end of 2026.
And Zac Fulton has been released from the final year of his contract with the Manly Sea Eagles to join the Bradford Bulls.
MAY CALL IMMINENT BUT RIVAL DOGS STILL IN THE HUNT
—Fatima Kdouh
Terrell May will hold crucial talks with the Sydney Roosters on Monday as the rising Tricolours prop edges closer to a decision about his playing future.
Talks between May and the Roosters have been ongoing and positive but Monday’s meeting will play a key role in his decision, which is likely to be determined within the next two weeks.
It’s comes as Canterbury continue to monitor negotiations between May, who is unsigned beyond 2024, and the Roosters.
At least two other clubs have shown interest in May but the young prop is yet to fully test the market.
The Bulldogs had cooled on May after the 24-year old parted ways with old manager Matt Desira but have rejoined the conversation for his signature after linking up with highly regarded agent Dave Rawlings.
It’s understood the Bulldogs’ interest in May has ramped up in recent weeks despite suggestions the club was no longer interested in his services.
The Bulldogs are desperate to land a significant kill on the free market to shore-up forward stocks after losing out on Warriors powerhouse Addin Founa-Blake after he opted to join the Cronulla Sharks instead.
The Belmore club had also hoped to pick-up Siosiua Taukeiaho but the former Sydney Roosters star failed a medical on a knee injury and is back with Super League side Catalans.
Since then the club has added Zane Tetevano, Daniel Suluka-Fifita and Jirah Momoisea, from Parramatta last week, to its forward stocks but none possess the calibre and potential of May, who enjoyed a breakout season in 2023.
May is also a key retention target for the Roosters as coach Trent Robinson plans for life without Jared Waerea-Hargreaves with the veteran prop to call-time on his illustrious career at the end of 2024.
Former Penrith premiership winner Spencer Leniu is part of Robinson’s succession plan for Waerea-Hargreaves but the new recruit will spend eight weeks on the sideline for using a racial against Brisbane’s Ezra Mam.
Leniu’s suspension is a chance for May to step-up and make an impression not only on Robinson but any other potential NRL suitors.
May’s younger brother and boom Panthers outside back Taylan May is also unsigned beyond this season.
There were suggestions the talent duo could be offered as a package deal to clubs like the Roosters but with Taylan joining Black Money Enterprises that scenario now appears unlikely.
The Roosters will lose star centres Joey Manu and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to rugby in 2025 but the club has moved to secure
Wallabies star Mark Nawaqanitawase and have eyes on fellow rising union talent Max Jorgensen.
Originally published as NRL Market Watch: Roosters close-in on Terrell May, while brother Taylan weighs up Panthers contract extension
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