Owen Pattie's emergence as Canberra's starting hooker has helped open a path for Tom Starling to leave the Raiders, according to News Corp.
The report says Canberra will let the 28-year-old go despite a year remaining on his contract, after he agreed to a long-term move to St Helens.
Starling is expected to sign a three-year deal beginning in 2028, with the agreement reportedly close to completion and likely to be finalised next week.
The move gives St Helens coach Kevin Walters a recruit sought by Manly's Kieran Foran, who wanted to strengthen the Sea Eagles' dummy-half options.
Manly's limited roster places and salary-cap constraints prevented the club from accommodating Starling, despite discussions about possible swaps involving Jake Simpkin, Luke Brooks and Brandon Wakeham.
Simpkin is contracted to Manly through 2028, while Wakeham has reportedly agreed to a two-year extension that the club has not confirmed.
Starling has made 155 appearances for Canberra since arriving from Newcastle in 2019, and helped the Raiders reach the finals and claim the 2025 minor premiership.
He began 2026 as Ricky Stuart's preferred hooker, but Pattie became a 60-minute starter late in the season, leaving Starling on the bench.
A reported gentleman's agreement allowed Starling to depart early if he secured a long-term opportunity elsewhere.
He is set to join former Dragons winger Christian Tuipulotu and Bulldogs playmaker Sean O'Sullivan among Walters' NRL recruits ahead of his first St Helens season in 2028.