Gold Coast Titans star and captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui is currently a free agent, but the window for him to make a call on his immediate future is closing.
A clause in his contract relating to Justin Holbrook's job made him a free agent, but the timeline for a call to be made is believed to be mid-October.
Approximately half of the NRL have reportedly expressed interest in the Queensland State of Origin representative, and Fa'asuamaleaui and his management have confirmed they will explore their options before deciding whether to commit to the Gold Coast.
Even if he elects to stay at Robina, he will become effectively a free agent again from November 1, with his contract only in an option state for 2025 and 2026.
But what if he were to leave at the end of this season, taking advantage of the clause in his contract.
There are plenty of sides in the NRL who could use the star forward, but here are the top five options who must be putting everything on the line in pursuit of the forward.
3. The Dolphins
The Dolphins have 29 players already signed to their Top 30 for next season, so there is a real need to be selective when it comes to the final roster spot.
In usual circumstances, a team with 29 players signed wouldn't have the salary cap space to accomodate someone like Fa'asumaleaui, who will be commanding well into the high six figures, probably without breaking the seven-figure barrier.
That said, the Dolphins should have the cash available - the question is whether Wayne Bennett and his recruitment staff have the desire to sign someone like Fa'asuamaleaui.
There is little doubt the NRL's newest club have performed well above expectations this year, but the Redcliffe-based outfit have an aeging forward pack.
The forward pack is a big part of the reason they have performed so well this year, but when Jesse Bromwich, Mark Nicholls and Jarrod Wallace can all feature as part of the engine room on the same team sheet, an injection of youth is needed.
Fa'asuamaleaui brings exactly that, but talent and attitude to match the calling of the club and what they are ultimately attempting to build their future on.
The Queensland Origin star could turn into a franchise player, and, if he does leave the Titans, the move to the other side of Brisbane gives him the potential to stay in the south-east corner of Queensland without moving too far away from family and friends that a move to Sydney or Victoria would provide.
