NRL transfer news 2023: Ivan Cleary weighs in on Jarome Luai’s Penrith future, $1m deals

Jarome Luai is officially able to negotiate with rival clubs – and is set to field monster offers. But Penrith coach Ivan Cleary has questioned whether his gun five-eighth is worthy of a $1m deal.

Ivan Cleary has questioned whether Jarome Luai can deliver as a chief playmaker. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Ivan Cleary has declared Jarome Luai ‘belongs at Penrith’, as the coach warned clubs it‘s a risk to fork out $1 million dollars per season for the star five-eighth given he is unproven as a chief playmaker.

Luai hit the open market on Wednesday, where the three-time premiership winner is expected to field lucrative offers in excess of the million dollar mark from rival clubs in desperate need of a quality playmaker.

Cleary said for Luai to sign a deal worth $1 million dollars per season, the 26-year old would need to own a side, something he is yet to do.

At Penrith, that role has belonged to Luai‘s halves partner and superstar halfback Nathan Cleary.

“I think that‘s the biggest thing at play here. If any club wants to (pay) the money we’re talking about then he may consider leaving but it would have to be for that kind of role,” Cleary said.

Ivan Cleary has questioned whether Jarome Luai can deliver as a chief playmaker. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

“It‘s also, is he ready for that? That’s a question mark. Could he do it? I’m sure he could do it. Has he done it (yet)? No, he hasn’t. He’s done it with Samoa in last year’s world cup. Generally speaking in this team, he has had his role to play, and that’s slightly different.

“I guess that‘s a risk everyone will have to take.”

It‘s believed Penrith have offered Luai a two-year extension, which would keep him at the club until the end of 2026, worth around $1.7 million dollars.

Salary cap pressure at the club means Penrith are unlikely to match any offers in the vicinity of $1 million dollars per season.

Cleary said Luai will test his value on the market before making a decision on his future but conceded there is a possibility rival offers could blow Penrith out of the water during contract negotiations.

“I want to make it really clear, we want him to stay … I think he wants to stay but money talks, so we‘ll see,” Cleary said.

“We’re very comfortable with where it’s at, we’ve spoken to him recently. He’s exploring his options.

“He knows what we think of him, I personally believe he belongs here.

“We’re good for him, he’s good for us.

“But if the offers we are hearing (are true) … thing is before today, they are just ‘maybes’. Once they are concrete he can understand more about the decision to be made.”

Luai has been a winner at every level with Penrith, and featured in three grand final wins. Picture: NRL PHOTOS

Panthers CEO of football Matt Cameron revealed that while the initial offer is for two-years, there is a possibility the club could offer a longer term contract.

“I wouldn’t get too anchored on the two year deal, that’s a discussion with Jarome,” Cameron said.

Penrith’s success has seen a number of players like Matt Burton, Viliame Kikau and Api Koroisau walk away from the club to take up more financially attractive deals elsewhere only to sacrifice playing in the finals.

Cleary believes that is a factor Luai is likely to consider as he weighs up his options over the coming weeks.

“I‘m sure he would (take that into account),” Cleary said.

Luai isn‘t the only Penrith star to hit the open market today. Rising stars Taylan May and rookie of the year Sunia Turuva will also be able to field offers from other clubs.

Cameron said contract talks with Luai won‘t impact the ability of the club to secure the young duo.

“We‘re not in any rush … we are confident we can do what we need to do regardless of the Jarome situation. I’m pretty confident we can sort of our roster out the way we want too,” Cameron said.

Rising star Sunia Turuva is also off-contract at Penrith and could be in high demand. Picture: Getty Images

Like Cleary, Cameron is confident a deal with Luai can be struck.

“This club and the team has had over the past few years has been built on some really disciplined salary cap decisions,” Cameron said.

“We think we can get a deal done. We think he wants to be here. We‘re confident we can get that sorted.”

While Luai’s contract is up in the air, the club has sewn up a record sponsorship deal with MyPlace, as the major sponsor for the next three seasons.

MyPlace will be the front of jersey sponsor for the NRL outfit plus every lower grade side.

The deal, worth around 35 per cent more than previous sponsorship agreements, will also extend to the women’s program and the side’s proposed NRLW team which is expected to enter the women’s competition in 2026.

Originally published as NRL transfer news 2023: Ivan Cleary weighs in on Jarome Luai’s Penrith future, $1m deals