NRL Transfers: Knights, Tigers discuss chasing Manly’s Kieran Foran as halves market heats up

He played an important role in Manly’s resurgence last season, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by at least two rival clubs who view Kieran Foran as a viable first-string playmaker.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 24: Kieran Foran of the Sea Eagles makes a break during the NRL Preliminary Final match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Manly Sea Eagles at Suncorp Stadium on September 24, 2021 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Newcastle and Wests Tigers have emerged as possible shock suitors for Manly five-eighth Kieran Foran.

News Corp can reveal the Knights – acutely aware the club needs a first-string playmaker - are discussing Foran as a replacement for departing halfback Mitchell Pearce.

Foran’s new management team, Pacific Sports Management, is aware of the developments.

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Kieran Foran is attracting interest from the Knights and Tigers.

The New Zealand champion still has another year to run on his Sea Eagles deal but Newcastle would consider offering Foran a two-year contract for 2022 and ‘23.

He could earn between $350,000 and $400,000 a season.

Rising Manly star Josh Schuster has made it clear he wants to play five-eighth at some point in his career, despite being impressive this year in the backrow.

Foran departing would allow Schuster to wear the number six jumper full-time.

Signing Foran would allow Newcastle to keep Kalyn Ponga at fullback for another year before his expected switch into the halves for 2023. Foran could also be enormously beneficial to young halfback Jake Clifford.

Luke Brooks continues to be Newcastle’s preferred choice despite being told repeatedly by Wests Tigers the gun halfback was unavailable for another two years. Newcastle cannot, under NRL rules, formally approach Brooks.

Foran played some of his best football for years last season.

Tigers coach Michel Maguire has a huge opinion of Foran through their association together with the New Zealand Test side. Any possible deal between Foran and Wests Tigers would only eventuate should Brooks leave.

Leading NRL player agents continue to suggest Brooks could leave Concord – but only if Wests Tigers can sign hooker Josh Hodgson from Canberra.

Allowing Brooks to exit - and signing Foran - would save Wests Tigers around $400,000 in their salary cap.

The Raiders are willing to allow Hodgson out of the final year of his current deal if Wests Tigers can stump up significant money for the transfer.

Manly may scupper any deal by insisting Foran play out his contract in 2022. The Sea Eagles only extended Foran’s contract by a year in September.

A decision on a possible extension for 2023 wouldn’t be made until sometime next year although Manly coach Des Hasler is known to be an enormous fan and supporter of Foran, who thrives on being a Sea Eagle.

Foran has a special relationship with Manly coach Des Hasler.

There are still significant obstacles to overcome before any deal is reached with Foran, although he is formally permitted to engage in contract talks with rival clubs. There is little doubt Foran has played his best rugby league under Hasler in three different stints.

Despite experiencing a horror injury run, Foran enjoyed a stellar year, playing 25 matches in a Manly side which reached the top four. It was arguably his finest season since leaving Manly for Parramatta in 2016.

Foran replacing Pearce would be ironic given the pair played junior footy together on Sydney’s upper north shore and have remained firm friends.

In an August interview with News Corp, Foran said of Hasler: “If you think about the amount of times I have been written off, the amount of times people have thought I was gone, I didn’t have anything to give or I couldn’t offer anything, Des Hasler has always believed I can bring something.”