Penrith superstar Jarome Luai is set to join the Wests Tigers on a monster five-year deal from 2025.
It’s been reported the 26-year-old three-time premiership player has agreed to terms on a deal that is worth more than $6 million over the five years.
But under the NRL’s new rules, Luai has to inform Penrith of his intent to sign the deal and the club now have 10 days to convince him to stay.
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However, given the reigning premiers have a tight salary cap and are believed to have only offered Luai a two-year extension worth $1.7 million, it seems unlikely he will stay.
It is no secret new coach Benji Marshall is a huge fan of the free agent and it has been reported he turned up to Luai’s home to make a personal pitch to the playmaker.
Luai will become the face of the Wests Tigers and have the responsibility of helping drag the club back from 12 years of on-field misery.
Newly installed Wests Tigers chief executive Shane Richardson said this week the club was focused on signing Luai ahead of other potential targets.
“I’ve made my feelings on Luai known for a long time,” Richardson said.
“In my opinion, he was the best young half coming through.
“Not only that, he’s a great team leader. That Penrith side revolves around Luai.
“He’s a great person off the field despite what many media people like to try to make out.
“You couldn’t meet a better person than him and you couldn’t ask for a better person at the club.”
Luai has played 107 games for Penrith and was a key member of the side’s historic premiership three-peat.
He will be out to make it four premierships in a row in 2024 before joining the Tigers.
