Eels, Manly and Cowboys join the race to sign Tallyn Da Silva from the Wests Tigers

The Tigers decision to allow Tallyn Da Silva to test the open market has started a frenzy with three fresh clubs joining Newcastle in circling the rising star.

Boom Tigers hooker Tallyn Da Silva is set to start a player market frenzy with four teams already expressing an interest in signing the 20-year-old.

North Queensland, Manly and Parramatta have joined Newcastle in wanting to speak to Da Silva after the Tigers granted the local product permission to talk with rival clubs.

It is expected that Da Silva will start meeting with other NRL teams in the coming weeks as he ponders a move away from the Tigers.

It comes as the Tigers plan to meet with co-captain Api Koroisau this week as they step up their bid to re-sign the veteran rake.

Da Silva’s camp has made it clear they want to remain at the Tigers, but will look elsewhere if they extend Koroisau.

While Da Silva has been permission to speak with rivals, the Tigers do not necessarily have to release him from his contract which expires at the end of next year.

As it stands, permission for Da Silva is just for 2027 and beyond.

Wests Tigers hooker Tallyn Da Silva. Picture: NRL Imagery

The Tigers and Koroisau’s management had preliminary talks earlier this month about inking an extension, but those chats are expected to continue as the parties move toward locking down Koroisau beyond 2026.

It is understood the 32-year-old wants an extra two years on top of his current deal.

The Tigers and the Knights have been in talks about a potential rest-of-season loan for Da Silva, but that also shifted to a permanent player swap which would involve Kai Pearce-Paul – who has signed with the Tigers from 2026 – joining the club immediately.

If Newcastle sign Da Silva, that would likely see Phoenix Crossland shift to lock with Da Silva sharing the hooking duties with Matt Arthur next season.

Meanwhile, Parramatta are on the verge of upgrading and extending Ryley Smith, who has been impressive in his first season but they need to add another hooker.

The Eels are looking for another hooker to pair with Ryley Smith. Picture: Getty Images

The Cowboys are yet to replace Sydney Roosters-bound Reece Robson and have held talks with Canterbury hooker Reed Mahoney, who, too, has been granted early permission to talk with rival clubs.

So far, North Queensland have scoffed at Mahoney’s asking price, but remain on the lookout for a hooker having met with Canberra-bound Jayden Brailey while also asking the question of the Tigers if they would release Koroisau early, which the Tigers rejected.

Manly also want a long-term No.9 with both their hookers Lachlan Croker and Jake Simpkin. Da Silva was an unused interchange player on Friday night as he was forced to watch on from the sidelines as the Tigers lost 16-12.

Coach Benji Marshall said he was “not sure” when asked following the game if Da Silva would finish up at the club before June 30.

Marshall also defended his bench rotation. “The game was in the balance and we needed the best players on the field,” Marshall said. “If there was an opportunity to put Tallyn on I would’ve but we needed Api on the field.”

Originally published as Eels, Manly and Cowboys join the race to sign Tallyn Da Silva from the Wests Tigers