The Titans face a fight to keep star backrower Chris McQueen

CHRIS McQueen had one of the best seasons of his career last year and Sydney clubs are circling the Titans backrower.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA — SEPTEMBER 03: Chris McQueen of the Titans runs the ball during the round 26 NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Gold Coast Titans at 1300SMILES Stadium on September 3, 2016 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

CHRIS McQueen is up for sale and will embark on a tour of Sydney clubs as the Titans face a $1 million contract battle to retain their most consistent forward.

The Courier-Mail can reveal McQueen will visit three Sydney rivals next week after fielding the most lucrative offers of his premiership-winning nine-year NRL career.

McQueen is happy at the Gold Coast, but the Titans have been trumped by rival Sydney offers that have swelled to $900,000 over two seasons.

McQueen’s management met Titans officials on Wednesday for a fresh round of talks but unless they up the contract ante, they risk losing the former Queensland Origin forward, who played a key role in South Sydney’s 2014 premiership triumph.

McQueen was outstanding in his debut season at the Titans last year, playing all 25 games to help the Gold Coast to their first finals appearance in six years.

McQueen is off contract at the end of the season.

The 29-year-old’s retention at the Titans seemed certain but McQueen’s consistent form last season has sparked a flood of interest from Sydney suitors.

The Titans also are determined to stave off poaching threats for boom halves Ashley Taylor and Kane Elgey and concede they face a fresh battle to retain McQueen.

“Chris has interest from Sydney clubs,” Titans recruitment chief Tony Mestrov said. “We will meet with his management and see where we go.

“Chris is in his last year here and he’s been a very good player for us. He’s extremely consistent and he can play several positions, so we need to sort out his future.

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“Chris has indicated he is keen to stay. He likes living on the Gold Coast but we’re aware of the interest from other NRL clubs.

“Hopefully we can sort out a deal that is acceptable to all parties.”

McQueen also has been an off-field success for the Titans with an ambassador’s role in promotional and charity work.

“There’s a part of Chris that may want to return to Sydney,” McQueen’s agent Shaun Pyne said

“Chris has received strong interest from Sydney and I felt last year was the best of his NRL career.

McQueen experienced one of the best seasons of his career in 2016.

“Ideally, Chris would like to stay at the Titans, but he is in a space now where he wants to look at his options.

“The amount of charity work he does off the field for the Titans is enormous. He’s heavily involved in the community so on and off the field he is a great asset for any club.’’

A veteran of 140 first-grade games, McQueen said his body was showing no signs of wear and tear going into the most important contract of his career.

“I’ve been really lucky over my whole career not to have too many surgeries so my body is holding up well,” he said.

“I want to be a leader in the team this season. We have a lot of young guys coming through and I have the experience to help them.

“Hopefully I play well again this season. I’d like to play rep footy again if my form warrants it.’’

Originally published as The Titans face a fight to keep star backrower Chris McQueen