Wests Tigers $4m Jarome Luai bid to blow Panthers away

The Penrith Panthers may be in for a battle to retain the services of Jarome Luai after reports of a monster offer on the table.

That’s a lot of zeros. Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

The Wests Tigers are reportedly about to launch an audacious bid for the services of three-time premiership-winning Panthers five-eighth Jarome Luai.

The Tigers bid has been revealed by The Daily Telegraph with a $4m-plus carrot being dangled by the cellar-dwelling joint-venture.

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The Tigers are understood to be prepared to offer a deal worth up to $1.1m for the playmaker, blowing the Panthers’ $850,000 two-year deal out of the water.

If the Tigers deal is at the higher end of the $1.1m range and for four years, Luai could make up to $1 million more over the life of the deal by moving clubs.

The offer is dependent on full board approval.

The report states that Luai “has told his closest teammates that he is leaning towards leaving the Panthers at the end of 2024”.

Luai is arguably the biggest name testing his value on the open market this season, with the three-time premiership winner, NSW Blues and Samoa representative an attractive prospect for any team.

He already has three rings. Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images

It’s believed the Tigers, who have former Panthers Api Koroisau, Brent Naden and Charlie Staines on the books, are the frontrunners, after it was revealed new coach Benji Marshall visited Luai at his home earlier in the week.

The Bulldogs are also said to be interested with former Panthers assistant Cameron Ciraldo the current Bulldogs head coach, while Stephen Crichton, Viliame Kikau, Matt Burton and Jaeman Salmon are all former teammates of Luai.

On top of the handsome pay cheque, Marshall reportedly 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.

The Tigers will have halves veteran Aiden Sezer, ex-Dragon Jayden Sullivan, promising youngster Latu Fainu and teenager Lachie Galvin for the 2024 season.

Speaking on SEN 1170 Breakfast, Daily Telegraph reporter David Riccio said the Tigers were firming into favouritism for the half’s signature.

“To Wests Tigers fans, I wouldn’t be prepared to say you are going to get a huge present under the Christmas tree in the shape of Jarome Luai just yet,” Riccio said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.

“However, there is a big chance.

“Benji Marshall, in his ability to woo and sell the dream to Luai.

Benji Marshall is working hard for his team. Photo: NRL PHOTOS

“At a recent house visit to Benji’s place made by Luai, (a deal) is now starting to gain some traction.

“Let’s not forget the relationship of Api Koroisau and Charlie Staines, (both) former Panthers.

“The Wests Tigers have a board meeting this week and it will give some indication on how much they are willing to go all in for Jarome Luai.

“This will pick up and gain some traction in the next 48 to 72 hours.

“There is an increasing confidence in the Wests Tigers (that they’ll get him).”

Luai has long been a fan of Marshall, revealing at Maori All Stars camp in 2021 that Marshall’s flick to Pat Richards in the 2005 grand final was a “memory that I’ll have for the rest of my life”.

“I remember my mum got me a Tigers towel afterwards and I used it after every shower for the next five years – I just didn’t want to let go of it,” Luai said at the time.

“I’ve been a fan of Benji ever since.”

The Tigers are set to have plenty of cash to splash with Knights centre Bradman Best reportedly knocking back the club’s advances — and $800,000 offer — to stay put in Newcastle for $700,000.

It comes a day after Best sparked the NRL rumour mill into action after Luai revealed he went to a store opening in Liverpool.

Jarome Luai is set to be very happy. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Best posted a Tiger emoji and the eyes emoji — which is all it took to spark speculation.

The belief that Luai may leave the three-time premiership winning Panthers was also fuelled earlier this month when coach Ivan Cleary questioned whether the 27-year-old Luai was ready to be the central playmaker on a team.

“Can he do it? I’m sure he could do it,” Cleary said at the time. “Has he done it? He hasn’t really.

“In this team he has his role to play. That’s a risk everyone would have to take.”

Luai responded via Instagram, posting an anime style photo of himself with the caption: “Know your worth.”

Speaking on The Daily Telegraph’s NRL Podcast, Newscorp journalist Michael Carayannis suggested it may fuel the desire to prove Cleary wrong.

“It could light the fire in him,” Carayannis said.

“The type of person and player that he is, well if you don’t think I can do it guess what? Maybe I will and I will show you I can do it.

“I kind of want him to leave because of the confidence that he has in himself and the headlines that he grabs he will wear it.

“He wears it pretty well. He will come out and he will know that if he leaves there will be the expectation and the pressure and he will own that. He won’t shy away from it.

“And then you have got the storyline of Jarome vs. Nathan and Jarome vs. Ivan and I think it is tantalising.”