Pay no issue as Paul Gallen charms Luke Lewis

PAUL Gallen says he would happily forsake his status as Cronulla's highest-paid player to bring NSW star Luke Lewis to the club.

PAUL Gallen says he would happily forsake his status as Cronulla's highest-paid player to bring Luke Lewis to the club.

Lewis is weighing up a move to the Sharks or Wests Tigers after being granted an early release from the final two years of his contract with Penrith and Gallen would love to line up alongside his NSW teammate at the start of the 2013 NRL season.

The Cronulla and NSW skipper signed a two-year contract extension last year which will keep him at the club until the end of the 2015 campaign, and he said attracting top-quality players to Toyota Stadium is more important to him than earning more money.

"I am quite happy with where I am at, at the moment. If he earns more money than me, I don't care,'' Gallen said.

"Toddy (Carney) is probably going to earn more money than me. It's about winning. I am more than happy with my contract and where it's at and, if someone get more than me, it's fine.''

Sharks coach Shane Flanagan has been working around the clock trying to persuade Lewis to join his club.

However, Gallen said he had no idea what decision the former Panthers skipper will make, despite the fact he's been spotted checking out properties in the Cronulla area.

"I spoke to Flanno last night at 10pm and I know he and (football manager) Darren Mooney are doing all they can,'' Gallen said.

"It's up to Lewy now. He's a different character as we all know. I am sure he'll be looking at property prices out here and out the Tigers' way as well and will make the right decision for his family and himself.''

Gallen also said that securing the services of Lewis would send out a signal of intent from the perennial battlers that they are a serious player in the NRL.

"That's where we are at the moment,'' he said.

"You pick up a player like Luke Lewis then other players want to come here as well. It would be nice to get him.''