A special salary-cap allowance could help the Perth Bears offer Matt Burton more than $1.2 million a season, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
The expansion club can use an existing sponsor to top up a marquee player's salary, with that contribution excluded from the cap.
The newspaper reported the Bears have proposed a three-year deal for Burton, potentially including ratchet clauses that could make it difficult for other clubs to match.
Sydney clubs have reportedly been linked with the State of Origin representative from 2028 onwards.
Bears general manager of football Gareth Holmes confirmed the club intended to use the allowance for a marquee signing.
"He's a marquee player, so we would be looking to use that allowance," Holmes said.
Burton spent time with the club over the weekend and was shown around Perth, Holmes told the newspaper.
Holmes said the Bears hoped to hear from Burton late in the week or early the following week.
The club is focused on 2028, but has not ruled out Burton joining for its inaugural 2027 campaign.
"At the moment we are focused on 2028, because that's what we're able to do."
"We would definitely be open to it and definitely interested."