NRL 2024 Market Watch: Dane Gagai to stay at Knights, Blaize Talagi a free agent for 2025

The Roosters are still on the hunt for backline talent after Dane Gagai turned the glamour club down, while a young Eel has opted to test the market in 2025. See the latest transfer news.

Dane Gagai. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

The Newcastle centre has opted to turn down a two-year offer from the Roosters to stick with the Knights for 2025.

The challenge of uprooting his young family from Newcastle to Sydney was a sticking point for Gagai, while the Knights were also able to keep the door ajar by including an option for a second year in 2026.

Gagai contacted Roosters coach Trent Robinson on Wednesday morning to inform him of the decision.

The Roosters will continue their hunt for additional coverage in their backline for when Joseph Suaalii, Joey Manu, Daniel Tupou and Michael Jennings finish up at the end of 2025.

Storm centre Reimis Smith is one option the Roosters will look at in coming days.

Dane Gagai has opted to stay at the Knights. Picture: Getty Images

TALAGI TO TAKE HIS CHANCE ON OPEN MARKET

Parramatta have a fight on their hands to keep rising star Blaize Talagi with the teenager opting to take himself to the open market.

In a major development related to the strength of the Eels future roster, the 19-year-old has failed to trigger an option in his contract for 2025.

He is now a free agent and able to receive offers from rival clubs.

Rising Eels star Blaize Talagi is a free agent for 2025 after failing to trigger an option in his contract. Picture: NRL Imagery

Eels coach Brad Arthur is a huge fan of the Westfield Sports High talent, who can play fullback, five-eighth and centre.

Talagi is viewed as the heir apparent to club leader Clint Gutherson in the no. 1 jersey, which is why he has been named at fullback to tackle the Broncos on Friday night.

Parramatta officials confirmed Talagi’s decision to take himself to the open market to The Daily Telegraph on Tuesday, with the club also making it clear that they remained eager to retain him.

HOW FIFITA WILL IMPACT THE FUTURE OF CRICHTON AND SU’A

—Brent Read, David Riccio

The futures of resurgent Sydney Roosters back rower Angus Crichton and St George Illawarra forward Jaydn Su’A could be tied to David Fifita as rival clubs eye up the pair as alternative targets to the brainstorming Gold Coast back rower.

Penrith remain the frontrunners to sign Fifita, having tabled a long-term deal worth more than $800,000 a season as they make him a priority target for next year.

The Panthers have made it abundantly cleat that Fifita is atop their wishlist, but they have also drawn up a list of contingency plans in case he decides his future is at the Roosters or on the Gold Coast.

Crichton, who has a good relationship with Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary through their association with NSW and Australia, is believed to be among the list of alternative options, having produced a brilliant month of football to put himself on the radar of the Roosters’ rivals.

The David Fifita contract saga could see Roosters star Angus Crichton change clubs. Picture: Getty Images

The Blues forward has vaulted back into Origin contention with his form for the Roosters and stirred the interest of NRL clubs in the process as they look to convince him to turn his back on French rugby union and remain in rugby league.

Crichton was destined to join Montpellier next season but the landscape has changed in recent weeks given the French rugby union club are locked in a relegation battle and NRL clubs have revived their interest in him.

The Roosters have also indicated there could be a place for Crichton at the club next season, although their salary cap position will become tighter should Fifita accept a multimillion dollar deal to join the club in 2025.

Fifita would also join a jammed back row room at the Roosters, meaning Crichton could likely be of more value to rival clubs.

Su’A is the other back rower with something to gain out of the Fifita lottery. Should Fifita leave the Gold Coast, Su’A shapes as a logical target, although it is understood he is enjoying life at the Dragon under Shane Flanagan.

Jaydn Su'A shapes as the logical replacement for David Fifita should he walk out on the Titans. Picture: Getty Images

However, he is one of the few quality back rowers off contract for next year and could have his head turned should a rival weigh in with a big offer.

Fifita holds the cards and Penrith loom as his next destination, the Panthers having made a compelling bid to lure him to western Sydney.

The Panthers can offer Fifita the chance to contend for premierships and play alongside some of the game’s elite players, led by Cleary.

His departure would leave the Titans in a massive hole, albeit with an extra million to spend which is likely to give them more ammunition to chase a playmaker.

The club has been linked with Storm half Jahrome Hughes, although he has another two years on his deal with Melbourne and has told club powerbrokers that he has no desire to leave.

Meanwhile, representative centre Dane Gagai is in the final stages of weighing up a decision to leave the Knights for the Sydney Roosters.

The 275-game veteran has received a two-year offer from the Roosters to move to Bondi next season.

The Knights have offered a one-year deal with the potential option for a second year. Gagai is mulling over the move to Sydney and the impact on his young family.

The 33-year-old remains one of the elite outside backs in the NRL and the Roosters view Gagai as an ideal solution to the loss of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Joey Manu, Daniel Tupou and Michael Jennings at the end of this season.

He also shares a strong connection with former Knights teammate and current Roosters winger Dominic Young.

It’s anticipated Gagai will inform his management in the coming days of his decision.

Originally published as NRL 2024 Market Watch: Dane Gagai to stay at Knights, Blaize Talagi a free agent for 2025