Waratahs CEO Jason Allen confirms the Super Rugby club's intention to sign Benji Marshall

THE NSW Waratahs have confirmed they're keen to sign Benji Marshall after the NRL star announced he wants to quit Wests Tigers.

THE NSW Waratahs have confirmed they're keen to sign Benji Marshall after the NRL star announced he wants to quit Wests Tigers at the end of the season.

Waratahs chief executive Jason Allen said on Tuesday the Super Rugby franchise had been in talks and would love to secure the 28-year-old playmaker.

However, the Waratahs' biggest immediate priorities are retaining league convert Israel Folau - sure to get a much-upgraded deal after his stellar first season - and signing wayward Wallabies utility Kurtley Beale who has parted with Melbourne Rebels.

"We've been chatting with his manager now for a couple of years and we are definitely interested in bringing Benji Marshall to the Waratahs,'' Allen told Fox Sports.

BENJI'S MANAGER SLAMS TIGERS, NRL

WHO'S TO BLAME FOR THIS MESS

"There could be a slight opportunity but there are a lot of things that need to fall into place and come our way with Benji Marshall.

"We've got some very big decisions pending with Israel Folau and Kurtley Beale and they are our priorities right now.

"But we can't close the door just yet.''

Marshall's manager Martin Tauber confirmed his client would be heading to rugby union and dropped a clear hint that he could head to the Waratahs.

"He's already had a conversation with Izzy (Folau) about playing rugby - they'd be a devastating duo,'' Tauber said.

The Melbourne Rebels were quick to dismiss any suggestion of chasing Marshall, though they would seem a real option for him after the declining to offer new contracts to Wallabies utilities Beale and James O'Connor in the past fortnight.