NRL signing news: Seven clubs chasing Storm star Jahrome Hughes

The Storm failed to meet his asking price and now premiership star Jahrome Hughes is the hottest half on the open market.

Jahrome Hughes is being chased by the Titans. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

The Titans are circling Jahrome Hughes with Melbourne’s premiership-winning halfback set to explore $900,000 offers on the open market after the Storm failed to meet his asking price.

The Sunday Mail can reveal Hughes has become the most sought-after playmaker in the code with seven clubs — including the Gold Coast — expressing interest in the wake of his premiership triumph last month.

The Titans have already successfully orchestrated one poaching raid on the Storm, snaring Queensland Origin young gun Tino Fa’asuamaleaui on a $2.1 million deal, and now they have their sights set on Hughes.

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While the 26-year-old has a deal with the Storm for next year, the NRL’s new contracting period on November 1 has enabled Hughes’ management to field rival offers for the 2022 season and beyond.

Wary of poaching threats, the Storm tabled a two-year extension in excess of $1 million on Thursday, but it is understood Hughes was disappointed with Melbourne’s offer and will not ink any new deal until he tests his market value.

Storm star Jahrome Hughes is being chased by Gold Coast Titans. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Melbourne’s grand-final victory is the perfect platform for Hughes to cash in, with the New Zealand international to seriously weigh up interest from a spate of suitors led by the Warriors, Wests Tigers and the Titans.

The Titans have not tabled an offer at this stage, but have lodged an expression of interest after watching Hughes produce the finest season of his career to spearhead Melbourne’s 26-20 grand-final defeat of Penrith.

Hughes’ preference is to remain at the Storm but with Melbourne well short of his $700,000 asking price, the classy utility back revealed he may be forced to reluctantly quit the premiers.

“I would like to stay but I understand the Storm will have salary-cap pressures,” Hughes said.

Tino Fa'asuamaleaui will link with Gold Coast in 2021. Picture: AAP/Brendon Thorne

“No player likes the negotiation process, especially when they are happy at a club, but it is a short career and everyone knows it’s part of the game.

“While isolation this season was tough, it made us stronger as a group, so it would be incredibly hard to leave such a great club.”

The Titans are on the rise under coach Justin Holbrook, who did a superb job in his rookie year last season.

Holbrook took the Titans from the wooden spoon to the cusp of the finals in ninth spot and the Coast are tipped to make the playoffs in 2021 with new recruits Fa’asuamaleaui, David Fifita and Herman Ese’ese.

Talented but wayward playmaker Ash Taylor is off-contract next year and is under pressure to live up to his $1 million deal with the Titans keeping a close eye on Hughes.

Hughes has a history with the Titans, making his NRL debut with the club as an 18-year-old in 2013 before a serious back injury threatened his career and saw him offloaded to the Cowboys en route to the Storm.

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Asked if he was keen to return to the Titans, Hughes said: “I will always call Gold Coast home, it’s where I will retire and put roots down after footy.

“I have only heard good things since they got their new coach (Holbrook).”

Originally a fullback or five-eighth, Hughes has been a revelation at Melbourne in the No.7 jumper and now sees himself as a fully-fledged halfback.

“I want to stay there, 100 per cent,” he said. “I have had only one full pre-season there and can’t wait to keep developing my game at seven.”

Storm football-operations chief Frank Ponissi remains confident Melbourne can stave off interest to retain Hughes until the end of 2023.

Titans coach Justin Holbrook is building an impressive team on the Gold Coast. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty

“I had a good chat to Jahrome after the season and I believe he really wants to stay and we want to keep him,” he said.

“The Storm have been good for him and he has been good for us.

“Jahrome still has a year to go but we’re certainly hoping in the pre-season that we can get the deal done. Discussions have been going well and he is our priority for 2021.

“I’m sure other clubs will be chasing him but I’m not really concerned to be honest.

“Jahrome has indicated he wants to stay so it’s up to us to come up with a deal that is satisfactory for both parties before other clubs become involved.”