Jarome Luai market watch latest: Star Panther meets with Tigers, Bulldogs as race for signature heats up

The race for the signature of three-time premiership winner Jarome Luai is heating up, with the gun five-eighth holding secret meetings with two clubs as talks intensify.

Gus has finally pulled the trigger on a Panthers star – this time away from prying cameras.

After sitting back and monitoring developments with Jarome Luai, Bulldogs general manager of football, Phil Gould, has stepped forward to hold a formal meeting with the Panthers and NSW star on Wednesday.

The big-money race for Luai has suddenly become more colourful and lively.

It is understood the meeting took place around lunchtime and could be pivotal for Wests Tigers.

Well-placed sources claim Luai now has a clearer path forward after meeting with Gould and Bulldogs head coach Cameron Ciraldo.

It was expected that Gould, given Luai is close to deciding his club from 2025, discussed contract remuneration.

The race for Jarome Luai’s signature is heating up, with another club entering the race for the Panthers star. Picture: NRL Photos

Luai now knows which club has lodged the biggest offer – and it’s expected to be Wests Tigers. There is an increasing theory in rugby league that Canterbury could be more interested in Warriors prop Addin Fonua-Blake and Luai.

Unlike previous meetings with Fonua-Blake and club captain Raymond Faitala-Mariner, which were photographed on fans’ phones and made public, Gould found a private and undisclosed location to meet with Luai.

Ciraldo is known to be close to Luai, the pair having developed a strong bond while at Penrith. The Bulldogs would sign Luai at the right place but the club won’t pay ‘overs’ for the Samoan star.

Those close to Wests Tigers claim the club remains more than confident of luring Luai to Concord.

Luai wants $1.2m a year – the Tigers offer stands just above $1.1m but the club does have room to increase their deal. Wests Tigers and Canterbury are Luai’s only suitors outside current club, Penrith.

With a review of club operations due to be released, and Marshall in his first full year as a head coach, Wests Tigers are desperate to sign a big name.

One player manager suggested on Wednesday that Luai and Fonua-Blake could go as a package but it is difficult to determine which club could afford both players.

Luai has met with Bulldogs powerbrokers Phil Gould and Cameron Ciraldo. Picture: Julian Andrews

Luai met with Wests Tigers powerbrokers on Tuesday and the club has tabled an offer worth around $4.5m over four years. Penrith has offered Luai around $850,000 a season – well short of their rivals.

The Panthers hope Luai may still stay given he is a local junior now shooting for four successive premierships.

Luai, 28, will return to Panthers pre-season training toward the back-end of next week given he remains contracted to Penrith for 2024.

Under the NRL’s new contracting model, Penrith will get confirmation from the NRL about the Tigers interest once Luai gives an indication that he is ready to accept the rival offer.

The Panthers will then have 10 days to convince him to alter his decision.

It is understood negotiations have not reached that point yet, although the latest meeting between the Tigers and Luai could be seen as an indication that both sides have a genuine interest in getting a deal in place as soon as possible.

Clubs understand Luai is close to deciding his future.

He is undergoing rehabilitation for a shoulder injury that will rule him unavailable for the pre-season World Club Challenge in England.

TIGERS UP ANTE WITH FRESH PITCH IN $4.5M LUAI CHASE

—Michael Carayannis, Brent Read

The Wests Tigers have stepped up their interest in Jarome Luai after holding another meeting with the Penrith superstar aimed at securing his signature.

This masthead understands Luai met key Tigers powerbrokers on Tuesday as they continue a concerted campaign to convince the three-time premiership winner that he should choose the club over staying at the Panthers.

It is understood the Tigers tabled a four-year-deal worth in excess of $4.5 million for Luai late last week. Their offer is significantly more than the Panthers can offer the Samoan international, who has entered the final year of his deal with Penrith.

The Bulldogs are also believed to be monitoring the situation and it is understood club officials have held talks over a move for Luai.

Jarome Luai with then-Panthers teammate Apisai Koroisau – could the pair team up again at the Tigers? Picture: Getty

However, the Tigers are believed to be more advanced in discussions with Luai as they look to tie up a deal for the 26-year-old before he returns to pre-season training with Penrith at the end of next week.

Under the NRL’s new contracting model, Penrith will get confirmation from the NRL of the Tigers interest once Luai gives an indication that he ready to accept the rival offer.

The Panthers will then have 10 days to convince him to change his mind. It is understood negotiations have not reached that point yet, although the latest meeting between the Tigers and Luai could be seen as an indication that both sides have a genuine interest in getting a deal in place as soon as possible.

Luai is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a shoulder injury that he carried through the closing stages of the NRL season.

Jarome Luai’s injury is expected to keep him out of the World Club Challenge. Picture: Getty Images

RACE IS ON TO REPLACE LUAI FOR WORLD CLUB CHALLENGE

—Fatima Kdouh

Penrith will get an early glimpse at a possible future without Jarome Luai with the off-contract five-eighth all but certain to be ruled out of the World Club Challenge in late February.

Luai was in major doubt for the clash against Wigan after undergoing a shoulder reconstruction following their famous grand final win over Brisbane.

The surgery forced the Samoan international to miss his nation’s involvement in last month’s Pacific Championships, and he doesn’t return to training until early next month.

Former Raider Brad Schneider joined the club to provide depth in the halves. Picture: Getty Images

Daine Laurie returned to the Panthers after a stint at the Wests Tigers. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

However Luai is expected to be sidelined for the clash, opening a three-way shootout for new recruits Daine Laurie, Brad Schneider and youngster Jack Cole to wear the No. 6 in England.

Panthers officials are confident the three-time premiership-winning playmaker will be available for their season-opening clash against Melbourne on March 8.

Of more importance to Luai and the club is his long-term future, with the 26-year-old entering the final year of his contract and a lucrative offer from the Wests Tigers on the table.

Laurie has returned to the Panthers after spending the past three seasons with the Tigers, while Schneider joins the club following a 12-game stint with Hull Kingston Rovers this year.

Originally published as Jarome Luai market watch latest: Star Panther meets with Tigers, Bulldogs as race for signature heats up