Shock Jarome Luai player swap twist as Bulldogs enter race

A new suitor has entered the chat for Jarome Luai’s signature as a shock player swap twist could turn the entire deal on its head.

Watch out Wests Tigers — another team wants your man.

Last week, it was revealed the back-to-back wooden spooners had put together a package worth a reported $1.1m a season for the three-time premiership winning five-eighth.

But a new team has entered the chat with the Canterbury Bulldogs officially entering the fray.

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The Daily Telegraph reported that Luai had held a secret meeting with Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould around lunchtime on Wednesday.

While it’s believed that the Bulldogs won’t be able to offer the same money as the Tigers as they also appear set to bid on wantaway Warriors forward Addin Fonua-Blake, Canterbury could be an attractive option for Luai.

With former Panthers assistant Cameron Ciraldo the current Bulldogs head coach as well as Stephen Crichton, Viliame Kikau, Matt Burton and Jaeman Salmon all former Penrith premiership teammates at the club, Luai may feel right at home at Belmore.

On the other hand, the Tigers are believed to be the highest bidders and in the box seat to snare the coveted signature, having had another meeting on Tuesday.

On top of the handsome pay cheque, Tigers coach Benji Marshall is believed to have offered Luai the opportunity to be the chief playmaker.

Luai has had limited opportunities in the role at Penrith, with Nathan Cleary the dominant half for the Panthers.

But Luai has proven he can direct a team around the park, having led Samoa to the World Cup Final in 2022.

There is another potential twist with the Wide World of Sports reporting that the Panthers would consider an early release for Luai — if veteran prop David Klemmer and young half Lachlan Galvin go the other way.

Luai is contracted for one more season at the foot of the mountains.

It would add a bit to the Panthers-Tigers clashes. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

It comes a matter of days after Panthers board member Greg Alexander shut down any speculation of an early release, comparing the situation to the exit of Matt Burton, who played out his contract with Penrith despite the Bulldogs pushing for an early release.

Luai also reportedly wants $1.2m a season and while the Tigers offer is around $1.1m, the report says “the club does have room to increase their deal”.

Speaking on SEN Breakfast on Tuesday, Wests Tigers chairman Lee Hagipantelis didn’t confirm the hefty deal details of the possible deal, but also didn’t deny the interest.

“Jarome is a quality marquee player, when these sorts of players become available on the market it would be remiss of any organisation not to look at the opportunity,” he said.

“You can assume that the opportunity has been looked at.

“As to where it goes or what happens, that’s a matter for others, well above my pay grade.

That’s great for Jarome Luai. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

He added: “We have a list management committee and a senior head coach who is very well attuned to these things, they’ll take care of all the recruitment and retention decisions.

“I couldn’t be happier or more impressed with the way they’re managing that roster at the moment, I’ll leave it at that.”

Which after two-straight wooden spoons, it certainly sounds more optimistic at Concord.

The Panthers are also an option but last reports had their deal still at $850,000.

Should Luai decide to leave Penrith, the Panthers will get one final shot to convince him to stay with a 10-day cooling off period under the NRL’s new contracting model, with the league confirming the Tigers’ interest when Luai indicates he’d accept the offer.

While the deal is not across the line as yet, Newscorp report said the latest meeting between Luai and the Tigers appeared to indicate “both sides have a genuine interest in getting a deal in place as soon as possible”.