Tallyn Da Silva negotiating with NRL rivals to leave Wests Tigers

In a tumultuous 72 hours, the Wests Tigers and Tallyn Da Silva have moved from negotiating a loan deal, to a player swap to an open market move - see the details here.

Wests Tigers rising star Tallyn Da Silva has been given permission to negotiate with rival clubs immediately after interest from Newcastle.

The talented hooker has been granted permission from the Tigers which will allow him to test the open market despite his contract ending at the end of next year. Da Silva was free to chat with rivals from November 1 but the move has been fast-tracked following a surprise overture from the Knights.

A raft of discussions in the past 72 hours included:

* Newcastle originally looked to loan Da Silva for the rest of the season to help deal with their growing casualty ward in their forwards.

* Talks progressed to a potential immediate player swap between the Knights and the Tigers which would see Da Silva arrive at Newcastle on a long-term deal. The Tigers are open to securing back-rower Kai Pearce-Paul. Pearce-Paul has already agreed to join the Tigers from next year on a three-year contract. Both parties are considering this.

* Da Silva’s agent has asked for and been granted permission to speak with other clubs, not just the Knights.

NRL 2025 RD06 Newcastle Knights v Wests Tigers - Tallyn Da Silva

The Tigers have already been told that Da Silva will leave the club should they re-sign co-captain Api Koroisau.

Both hookers are off-contract at the end of the next year and the Tigers have already met with the players. There is a belief that the Tigers are torn on which player to keep. At just 20, Da Silva is considered a decade long player and is a local junior.

Koroisau is still among the best players in the game but will be 33 by the time his new deal kicks into place.

The situation differs to that highly publicised fallout between Lachie Galvin and the Tigers with Da Silva wanting to remain at the club – provided he is their no. 1 hooker.

Where does Phoenix Crossland fit at the Knights going forward? Picture: Getty Images

The Knights’ pursuit of Da Silva is an interesting one given Kiwi rake Phoenix Crossland has re-signed until the end of 2028 while Matt Arthur is also contracted to the club until the end of 2027. Long-term hooker Jayden Brailey is Canberra bound at the end of the season.

If Da Silva does sign with Newcastle it may mean Crossland plays more lock given the Knights are struggling to find replacements for a host of forwards departing at the end of the season. Pearce-Paul, Brailey and Leo Thompson will all move on while Adam Elliott, Jack Hetherington and Tyson Frizell face uncertain futures.

Da Silva had been relegated to NSW Cup in recent weeks but has been recalled to the bench to take on the Raiders on Friday night.