The Knights are set to offer Kalyn Pronga a record four-year deal that will make him one of the five highest paid players in rugby history.
The 21-year-old is currently contracted for the next two years, with an option for a third in 2022, but Newcastle are set to scrap his contract in favour of a $4.5 million deal.
The new deal includes an option for the superstar fullback to play for the All Blacks at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, with Knights chief executive confirming with the Heraldย that negotiations are currently ongoing.
"We've told the Ponga family we'd like KP to extend his time with us," Gardner told the Herald.
"We've offered him an upgraded contract for 2020-21 on the basis of an extension. The family know how much we want to keep him at Newcastle and they will come back to us with their view."
Newcastle are keen on having Ponga commit to the club for the 2022 season, where they can trigger $1.1 million-a-year deal they have offered.
It is understood that the final year of the new deal will grant Ponga the flexibility to play at the World Cup in France if he is given the opportunity with New Zealand.
Gardner acknowledged the threat the All Blacks play in Ponga's decision, as they continue their pursuit of the fullback.
"I'd be really surprised if the All Blacks weren't talking to him now, that's the kind of talent we are talking about here," Gardner said.
"He could play for the All Blacks, the Wallabies, or he may end up going to Japan or Europe. We genuinely want the best for the young man and while ever he wants to play rugby league, we want him to play here at Newcastle in an environment he enjoys.
"We have obviously put a deal forward that we believe is in the best interest of the club, but also in the best interest of him."
Newcastle have attempted to lock down the signature of Ponga over the last year, but struggled to come to an agreement with his former agent Wayde Rushton.
Discussions have found new hope since Ponga split with Rushton - who also lost Latrell Mitchell as a client around the same time - with Ponga's father Andre taking control of negotiations early this year.
With Ponga's current contract allowing him to have the option for the 2022 season, the Knights will be keen to secure his future before the end of 2020, where rival clubs can look to add his signature to their books at the end of the calendar year.
We're talking to him now because the reality is that KP's a free agent on the 1st of November," Gardner said.
"What does he want to do in the years ahead? Well that's up to him. We want him here as long as he wants to be here."
Ponga - who has long expressed his interest to play for the All Blacks - is seen as one of the best young players in the league, with his potential departure ranking close with that of Sonny Bill Williams' move away from the NRL.
Team Sombreros
Do anything you have to to get this deal done.. we want Ponga in the paper bag.. I mean bag at Souths
we cannot continue this chocking culture
Russ, James, Dirty Richo, Peter
AKA SOUTH SYDNEY SOMBREROS HOMBREROS
I seriously don’t get all the hype with this guy.
Waste of money, will amount to nothing
is he actually worth that much?
if so how much would Teddy be now worth on the open market if Ponga’s getting this much?
Ha ha ha morons, watch him clean up 3-4 mill then see ya Iโm off to rugby. He has Newcastle by the knackers big time
a good player, not a great player.
Stupid money being offered.
screams of desperation by the Knights. As others have said, a lot of hype for him, but he yet to earn that kind of contract IMO
I’m sure he will be worth it by then. But yeah Knights do seam to have a lot of big $$$ players now. Pierce, Klemmer and Ponga all significantly north of $1m. That leaves another 27 players to all be on around $225k average.
Considering they’ve had to buy Brailey, Glasby, Ese’Ese, Guerra, Shibasaki, Lino, Moga, Watson from other clubs and have an origin prop in Saifiti as well as very good players in Fitzgibbon, Barnett and Mata-utai, I can’t see how they are going to spread that cash around.
Butters..
Newcastle have one of the richest backers in the competition, with The Wests Group.
Itโs amazing how much more clubs can fit in under a cap, when they suddenly have wealthy backers. You donโt have to look very far to find other examples of this. Southโs, Nuggets are able to do the same things.
Suddenly, when thereโs wealthy backers of the club, independent corporate sponsorships also spring up everywhere . For that clubs players. Amazing, isnโt it! ๐ฅด
EastOfDivide February 26, 2020 at 1:59 pm
Butters..
Newcastle have one of the richest backers in the competition, with The Wests Group.
Itโs amazing how much more clubs can fit in under a cap, when they suddenly have wealthy backers.
unless they play for less under the great old scam… i mean man Bennett
Russ, James, Dirty Richo, Peter
AKA SOUTH SYDNEY SOMBREROS HOMBREROS
I luv the pong
The guy is still on his Red P plates – he have not proven anything. Nuf said.
I have to agree with nearly all the above. He’s good, but THAT good? Really?
SouthSydneySombrerosHombreros February 26, 2020 at 2:14 pm
“unless they play for less under the great old scamโฆ i mean man Bennett”
You mean like Latrell? OUCH!!
Bwaaahhaaaahhhaaaaahhhaaaahhaaaaaaahhaaaaa
Maybe they should get Trent ‘Taree’ Robinson to speak to him๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ