Roosters’ stunning $250k call on Dom Young as NRL rival set to sign him this week

The Sydney Roosters are reportedly prepared to pay more than half of the unwanted star’s salary in a bid to secure an immediate transfer.

The Sydney Roosters are reportedly prepared to pay more than half of Dom Young’s salary in a bid to secure his immediate transfer to an NRL rival.

The Daily Telegraph reports the Roosters could tip in up to $250,000 of the winger’s $450,000 a year deal.

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The Knights are the clear frontrunner and expected to sign the 23-year-old on a two-year deal this week.

He would then be available to play for Adam O’Brien’s side in Round 11.

According to the report, the Knights will abort discussions should Young make any bid to find an alternate home for the remainder of the 2025 NRL season.

Dominic Young’s time at the Roosters appears over. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)

It means Newcastle would only pay $200,000 a season to secure Young’s return to the Hunter.

News of the Roosters’ decision sparked speculation the move was designed to fit Sea Eagles halfback Daly Cherry-Evans into the cap next season.

It’s a stunning development given Young is just 18 months into a four-year deal. It is understood the Roosters have lost patience with him.

It comes amid news teammate Brandon Smith is set to join South Sydney effective immediately as the Roosters begin clearing space in their salary cap.

The Daily Telegraph’s Dean Ritchie said he spoke with the Knights after the news broke, with the club confirming their interest and desire to sign Young immediately.

“I made a few calls in and around the Knights and it has been mooted that he may find a club for the rest of this year and then sign a two-year deal with Newcastle, but the Knights are saying that that won’t be happening,” Ritchie said on NRL360 on Tuesday.

“If he doesn’t come now, he won’t be coming at all. I think Newcastle want him in their side for Round 11 (next week).”

Cherry-Evans’ move to the Roosters is reportedly all but confirmed, with the deal set to be worth at least $1 million according to Fox League’s Paul Crawley.

In an interesting twist the contract is expected to only be for one year. Manly upped its offer to two years before it was rejected,

“Newcastle said today privately that they aren’t going to just accept Young. They said it’s the Roosters’ issues. It’s not up to us to fix their problem,” Ritchie continued.

Young has been linked with a return to Newcastle. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

“There’s a sneaky suspicion in Newcastle that the Roosters are trying to get rid of Young to make way for Cherry Evans. But the Knights have said it’s not our job to make way for DCE.”

Crawley noted the signing of Young wasn’t the only recruitment decision the club has ultimately got wrong in recent seasons.

While Young was a prolific try scorer last year, his form has plummeted in 2025.

“There’s been a few though at the Roosters in recent seasons who have gone there with a lot of other clubs chasing them that just haven’t worked out,” Crawley said.

“You think Brandon Smith, Matt Lodge, Dom Young. The reason why the Roosters wanted him was because he was killing it at Newcastle.”

“I think it’s a good move by the Chooks. I think it’s the right call,” NRL360 co-host Braith Anasta added.

Originally published as Roosters’ stunning $250k call on Dom Young as NRL rival set to sign him this week