The NRL will count Hudson Young at $1 million against the salary cap, even if the second-rower agrees to a $900,000 deal with the PNG Chiefs.
"the salary-cap auditor has set a value for Hudson Young and we won't be compromising on the position.. The Chiefs won't be treated any different to any other club," NRL CEO Peter V'Landys told CODE Sports.
"If Hudson Young's worth $1 million and they're paying $900,000, $1 million will go on the salary cap.
"Of course, there are going to be some exceptional circumstances and those will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Young has toured facilities in Port Moresby, but a move to the Chiefs for 2028 is not finalised.
He missed a contract deadline last week and is considered unlikely to re-sign with Canberra, despite the Raiders offering a club-record $1.1 million per season.
Coach Ricky Stuart told The Canberra Times that an early release could be considered if Young's management requested one.
"That question's not for me. That's for his management," Stuart said.
"That's up to Hudson and his management to ask for that, but I'd definitely look at it."