Huge twist as door opens for Panthers to re-sign Jarome Luai immediately

A door has been suddenly opened in Jarome Luai’s contract saga with the star playmaker the beneficiary of an act of good faith.

Jarome Luai of the Panthers. Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images.

In music to Penrith fans’ ears, the door is suddenly open for the Panther to re-sign Jarome Luai immediately.

The saga surrounding the star playmaker’s future has taken a big twist over the weekend with reports Penrith’s chances of locking Luai down to a long term deal before rival clubs are able to swoop being boosted.

Penrith powerbrokers recently announced backrower Liam Martin had signed a new contract, while fullback Dylan Edwards will reportedly sign a bumper deal worth $950,000-per-season.

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Meanwhile, Luai is facing a big decision regarding his future in the coming months and could field monster offers worth $1 million-per-season if he hits the open market on November 1.

However, The Sydney Morning Herald now reports an act of good faith by Luai’s former management company means Penrith has an extended window to reach an agreement with the NSW State of Origin No. 6 before the November deadline.

Luai split with management company SFX in July and a condition of NRL contracts state players must wait 90 days before signing with a new agent.

That three-month delay would see Luai free to sit down to discuss an extension with the Panthers in October, only days before he becomes a free agent, foxsports.com.au reports.

But now SFX have reportedly informed the Panthers they would waive the “90-day termination clause” on one condition.

Jarome Luai of the Panthers. Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images.

The Panthers must negotiate directly with Luai and members of his family.

Luai would reportedly not be free to negotiate if he was to introduce a new management company in to extension discussions.

Penrith powerbrokers are now reportedly preparing to approach Luai regarding an extension, with the five-eighth set to save paying the six per cent agents fee if a deal is struck.

It comes after Panthers chief executive Matt Cameron last week denied claims the club was prioritising other player signatures over Luai.

Luai has been linked with a move to the Bulldogs, linking up with former assistant Cameron Ciraldo and teammates Viliame Kikau, Matt Burton and Stephen Crichton.

However, Cameron has since responded to the rumours.

“There were a few reports in the paper the other week that we were actually prioritising other players on top of Jarome, but that’s just clearly not the case,” Cameron said.

“We’re being incredibly respectful to Jarome’s management situation and the time frames that we need to work in and around.

“But again, when we talk about the salary cap and the RLPA and the broadcast deal, there is growing money in the salary cap over the next five years. I’m pretty confident we can get a deal done with Jarome to keep him here.

“He’s grown up here. We talk about connection all the time, and how connected our group is.

“I wanted to know Jarome’s win percentage in a Panthers jersey, and it was above 90 per cent.

“When you think about that, he’s come in as a 16-year-old into a very successful Harold Matthews team, SG Ball team, Under 20s team, reserve grade team and first grade team.”

Originally published as Huge twist as door opens for Panthers to re-sign Jarome Luai immediately