Gold Coast Titan Kane Elgey is in negotiations to extend his contract

KANE Elgey wants to stay at the Titans, despite fielding a $1.8 million offer to leave the Gold Coast.

Gold Coast Titans media with new players Ashley Taylor and Tyrone Roberts who could pair up in the halves next year. Photo of (L-R) Ashley Taylor, Kane Elgey, Tyrone Roberts. Pic by Richard Gosling

KANE Elgey wants to stay at the Titans despite fielding a $1.8 million offer to leave the Gold Coast.

Elgey yesterday was offered $600,000-a-year over three years by a rival club and is keen to make a decision on his future before the start of the season.

The 22-year-old is a free agent at the end of the season and the Titans have started negotiations to keep the local product on the Coast.

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Elgey’s management is chasing a $1.6 million deal over three years which would see the boom young halfback pocket $450,000 next year, $500,000 in 2018 and $650,000 in 2019.

Elgey, who will not play this season due to a knee injury, is keen to sign with the Gold Coast next week but will test his value on the open market if a deal cannot be struck.

The Titans yesterday showed their faith in Elgey by closing the door on a possible move to the Coast by premiership-winning South Sydney half Luke Keary.

Titans operations chief Brian Canavan said the club would not table a formal offer for Keary as the Coast put their faith in scrumbase trio Elgey, Tyrone Roberts and Ashley Taylor.

Injured Gold Coast Titans half Kane Elgey with fellow playmakers Ashley Taylor (left) and Tyrone Roberts. Picture: Richard Gosling

The Titans had been offered the services of off-contract Keary, who is weighing up his future after a spat with Rabbitohs co-owner Russell Crowe last month.

Keary has not ruled out staying at Souths but quietly contacted Titans recruit Chris McQueen as part of his due diligence on the Gold Coast.

McQueen quit the Rabbitohs because of salary cap pressures in December and told Keary, his 2014 premiership teammate, he would relish a fresh start at the Titans.

But Canavan said yesterday the Titans would not risk losing halfback sensation Elgey, who began talks on a new deal on Monday, by making a big-money play for Keary.

“We won’t be making an offer for Luke,” said Canavan, who is set to deliver a three-year, $1 million-plus upgrade to retain Elgey.

“His name has been presented to several clubs including ours, but he hasn’t really surfaced in our discussions. Our thoughts are with our current halves.’’

Elgey came through the Titans’ junior system, playing 16 NRL games last year in an outstanding rookie season and said his priority was to stay at the Gold Coast.

“Hopefully I can stay here. That’s the plan,” he said. “I feel I’ve got my opportunity to play first-grade here.

“They all know (I want to stay). I’m sure it will work out and we’ll all be happy.’’

Kane Elgey at home on the Gold Coast as he continues to recover from a season-ending knee injury. Picture: John Gass

Elgey’s desire to stay put will be music to the ears of Titans fans who fell in love with his potential last year.

The quietly-spoken playmaker’s campaign ended in the first training session of this year when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament, putting a serious dent in the club’s rebuilding plans.

Elgey underwent a reconstruction five weeks ago and had a minor setback which could have required further surgery.

“I had a week with an infection. It slowed me down and I was struggling to walk,” he said.

“It was more skin related rather than right down where the surgery was.

“It could have been a scare but we got through it.

“It’s the five-week mark (tomorrow) since surgery. I’m getting around well and am back on track.

“I’m trying to put on some weight again in the gym.”