Jarome Luai’s next move has been shrouded in controversy.

Penrith Panthers five-eighth Jarome Luai has spoken out after reports he had signed a huge $6 million Wests Tigers deal, but the move has taken a fresh twist with a 10 day cooling off close. On Saturday, Michael Chammas from The Sydney Morning Herald reported Luai had agreed to move to the Tigers on a five-year deal worth $6 million.

The development sent shockwaves through the NRL with the Panthers set to lose their premiership winning five-eighth as their reported bid of between $800,000 to $850,000 per year doesn’t appear enough. However, Luai was quick to respond to the reports with a message to his fans on social media.

“No pen to paper here. I’ll let yous know when a deal is done. Big Love,” he wrote. While Luai may have not signed for the Tigers, the new NRL rule states the player must inform their club they have received an offer they will accept, which allows the incumbent club 10 days to negotiate a better contract.

The rule appears bizarre, considering the Panthers have already been negotiating with Luai throughout the whole process. So, Luai may have not put pen to paper, but it also doesn’t mean he isn’t ready to accept the offer from the Wests Tigers.

Reports claimed Luai has spoken to Ivan Cleary and told him about his intention to leave. Luai has also reportedly told the players of his option to leave at the end of 2024.

But NRL fans have taken aim at the new rule that gives the Panthers 10 days to negotiate a better contract if possible. Fans felt this only opened up the deal and Luai to a media frenzy. Others felt the rule only creates more uncertainty for fans around the movement of their favourite players.

Luai still has the option to back out of a potential deal with another club as well. Fans are now in limbo for 10 days on whether Luai remains a Panthers player, or joins a new club.