NRL Market Watch: Valentine Holmes granted permission to speak to other clubs, St George Illawarra Dragons emerge as lead contenders

North Queensland Cowboys star Valentine Holmes has been given permission to test the open market, with the Dragons emerging as a lead contender for the signature of the Maroons rep.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 06: Valentine Holmes of the Cowboys runs the ball during the round 18 NRL match between North Queensland Cowboys and Manly Sea Eagles at Qld Country Bank Stadium, on July 06, 2024, in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

North Queensland have granted Kangaroos and Maroons star Valentine Holmes permission to test the market with St George Illawarra set to pounce.

Holmes is about to enter the final year of his contract worth about $1 million with the Cowboys potentially open to letting him go with 12 months left on his deal.

The Dragons have emerged as a frontrunner for Holmes’ services if he does leave Townsville with Holmes earmarked as an ideal replacement for Parramatta bound Zac Lomax.

His agent Chris Orr confirmed Holmes was granted permission to speak with clubs immediately.

“Val is a Queensland Origin star and he is coming off-contract on November 1,” Orr said. “So we are looking to sit down with the Cowboys early and extend him.

“By gaining early permission we are able to get to the negotiation table early.

Valentine Holmes has been given permission to test the market. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

“The Cowboys have indicated they wish for Val to stay.”

The Cowboys salary cap is stretched already with Holmes, Tom Dearden, Jason Taumalolo, Jeremiah Nanai, Scott Drinkwater and Jeremiah Nanai top earners. They need to find the money to upgrade and extend co-captain Reuben Cotter before he is free to talk to rival clubs on November 1. NSW hooker Reece Robson is also about to enter the final 12 months of his deal.

Holmes leaving early could create the space needed to allow those key members to remain at North Queensland.

The 29-year-old has not been at his best this season despite keeping his spot in Queensland’s three-game series. Barring injury he will play his 200th NRL game before the end of the regular season.

The Dragons have made little secret of their desire to land a marquee outside back to replace Lomax and to add some starch to their forward pack.

Holmes and Blaize Talagi are the two they want to add to their backline. While the Dragons are waiting for an answer from Talagai they are continuing to explore the open market. Holmes gives them the flexibility in the backline with the representative star comfortable to play centre or fullback.

Valentine Holmes could be an ideal replacement for Zac Lomax at the Dragons. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

He would also be the club’s first-choice goal-kicker which they need to replace given Lomax’s departure.

Regular Dragons fullback Tyrell Sloan was dropped heading into their match against Penrith.

The Dragons have a stack of space in their salary cap and would be prepared to offer Holmes a multi-year contract which may not be forthcoming at the Cowboys.

He also has a relationship with St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan after Flanagan not only handed Holmes his NRL debut at Cronulla in 2014 but the pair were also part of the Sharks’ premiership winning 2016 team.

He remained at Cronulla until he tried his hand at the NFL in 2019. He returned to rugby league at North Queensland in 2020 on a mega six-year contract which expires at the end of next year.

The Dragons are also in the market for Newcastle’s Daniel Saifiti having secured South Sydney hooker Damien Cook for next season.