The Penrith Panthers have stunned fans by allowing star prop Moses Leota to explore his options on the open market for his long-term future.
Leota, who celebrated four premiership victories with the Panthers from 2021 to 2024, is currently under contract until the end of 2027.
This situation originally meant that rival clubs couldn't approach him until November 1, but recent reports from the Daily Telegraph indicate that the club has now given Leota the green light to negotiate with other teams to assess potential contract offers right away.
Leota is among several key Panthers players whose contracts expire at the end of next season, including Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin, Brian To'o, Mitch Kenny, Isaiah Papali'i, Blaize Talagi, and Paul Alamoti.
The Panthers face a challenging task of retaining their stars within the $12 million salary cap, and Leota appears to be the first significant player to consider his options.
Reports suggest Leota desires to remain a Panther, with a preference to finish his career at the club.
However, interest from teams like the Perth Bears and PNG Chiefs is on the horizon, particularly since the Chiefs can provide tax-free incentives for players moving to the Melanesian nation.
As Leota approaches his 31st birthday in a few weeks, a lucrative contract elsewhere could prompt him to leave the Panthers as soon as this season ends.
With the club permitting Leota to explore the market, many NRL teams are likely to seek his talents, given his impressive track record with the Panthers in the early 2020s.