Broncos in fight to keep Payne Haas as Roosters circle

The Broncos have learned just how much danger the club is in with the future of star forward Payne Haas with one rival already circling.

Payne Haas had a monster season.

Payne Haas is on the radar of the Sydney Roosters as a possible marquee recruit when his current deal ends at the Brisbane Broncos.

The 21-year-old has reportedly received a three-year contract offer from the Broncos which would see his tenure at Red Hill continue to the end of 2027.

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His current deal runs out in 2024 meaning Haas would be able to negotiate with rival clubs form November 1 2023.

According to the Daily TelegraphHaas is yet to ink the extension as he wants to see improvement at the Broncos, and a move to premiership contenders could be on the cards.

Broncos head of football operations Ben Ikin has committed to delivering a ‘world-class program’ at the club to ensure his star-man doesn’t walk out the door.

The Roosters are planning ahead, with veteran Jared Waerea-Hargreaves coming to the end of his brilliant career and his deal ending in 2023.

Haas is cut from the same cloth, a bustling prop who will lead a team forward.

Since converting to Islam, Haas has become close with Roosters legend Sonny Bill Williams, who could be a major influence in Haas’ contract decisions.

“It is incumbent upon us to make a really strong case that makes it difficult for Payne to leave the Broncos,” Ben Ikin said about the potential for Haas to depart the Broncos.

“The Roosters would be one of 16 other clubs, including the Dolphins, who would be keen to get Payne Haas to their organisation.

Brisbane Broncos pre-season training - Haas alongside assistant coach Alfie Langer. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“He is here currently, we have him for another three seasons, and everybody that works at the Broncos wants to get this club back winning again.

“We want to build a world-class footy program and if we do both of those things, we would hope it becomes a very difficult decision for Payne to leave.

“We’ll focus on things that are in our control. After that, Payne will have to make a choice. But we want him here, we value him highly and we are working hard to build a footy program that Payne wants to be part of for a long time to come.”

The Broncos have their best forward an increase in his salary in April, bumping him up from $550,000 a year to $750,000 making him the club’s highest paid forward.

Haas wants to compete for trophies and coach Kevin Walters is confident the Broncos can be back in the running come finals time.

“We are hoping to have Payne here long-term for sure,” Walters said.

“That was Payne’s standout year last year which is great for the Broncos.

“If he can continue on that pathway, which we believe he will, and we provide the right people around him, Payne will keep the faith.

“We can’t have Payne doing it all on his own in the forwards. He needs support. We can’t have all the workload on Payne Haas and guys like Kurt Capewell and Tom Flegler will certainly help him in that regard.

“I don’t believe we have seen the best of Payne Haas. He is only 21 years of age and he is excited about the season ahead.”

— This story originally appeared on foxsports.com.au and has been republished with permission