Jarome Luai, a Panthers legend, is convinced he will stay in Penrith in 2024.
“It’s not happening, we went through this with Matt Burton.”
Although he has been linked with a move away from the Penrith Panthers, club legend Greg Alexander is convinced he will be back next season.
The Penrith Panthers, , and Canterbury Bulldogs are all thought to be interested in the star five-eighth, who is out of contract at the end of 2024, but a decision is expected by the time he returns for pre-season training on December 8, according to News Corp.
That means Luai has just over two weeks to determine where he will be playing his rugby league from 2025 onwards.
The Wests Tigers are believed to have formally put their offer to Luai’s new management on Thursday, totalling about $4.5 million for four years, while the Bulldogs are believed to have expressed interest but as yet haven’t put an offer to Luai.
While the decision from Luai may be imminent, the Panthers have confirmed they won’t be matching the bid.
However, there have been talks about if the Panthers would gift him an early release from his contract, an idea that club icon Greg Alexander is adamant won’t happen.
“(Releasing him in 2024)? Forget it,” Alexander said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“Like forget it, it’s not happening, we went through this with Matt Burton.
“We had every man and his dog chipping in saying, ‘It’s not fair’. Well, it is fair, he (Luai) has a contract with Penrith next year.”
“Jarome Luai has a contract with Penrith for 2024, he will not be playing for the Tigers, I don’t know what else I have to say,” Alexander added.
Given the enormous size of their money, the Wests Tigers are understood to be favourites in the race for Luai, and reports across multiple publications suggest the State of Origin player is leaning towards an exit from the three-time defending premiers.
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