Preparing to enter the open market on November 1, a frontrunner has reportedly emerged to secure the services of Newcastle Knights and New Zealand Kiwis front-rower Leo Thompson.

Thompson, one of Newcastle's best this season, has been a bright light for them ever since his club debut in 2022 and has shown that he is set to become one of the competition's best forwards in the coming years.

Over the past few seasons, his great form also saw him called up to theย New Zealandย Kiwis for last year's end-of-yearย Pacific Championships, where they defeatedย Australiaย in the Final.

Only on a reported salary of $350,000 per season, the front-rower is set to be handed a massive payday with his next contract, but his destination beyond 2025 has yet to be confirmed.

As multiple clubs, such as the Canberra Raiders, continue to monitor Thompson's status, the Canterbury Bulldogs have emerged as the leading frontrunner for his signature, per Wideย World of Sports.

The Bulldogs have been on the lookout for a strong, powerful forward for quite some time and have been linked to a host of other players, includingย Reagan Campbell-Gillardย andย Stefano Utoikamanuย in the past.

They also have a ton of free space in their salary cap following the departures ofย Luke Thompson,ย Jake Averillo,ย Paul Alamoti,ย Matt Dufty,ย Jeremy Marshall-King,ย Raymond Faitala-Marinerย andย Tevita Pangai Juniorย over the course of the past few seasons.

Super Rugby Pacific Rd 13 - Chiefs v Hurricanes
HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND - MAY 20: Tyrone Thompson and John Ryan of the Chiefs talk after winning the round 13 Super Rugby Pacific match between Chiefs and Hurricanes at FMG Stadium Waikato, on May 20, 2023, in Hamilton, New Zealand. (Photo by Michael Bradley/Getty Images)

Thompson's situation regarding his future at the Knights is set to get even more complicated next season, as his brother Tyrone Thompson will join the club on a development contract for the 2025ย NRLย season.

The 24-year-old has beenย linked with a cross-code switch to rugby league ever since November last yearย when ARLC Chairman Peter V'landys announced thatย NRLย teams would be given dispensation to their salary cap to attract talent from the 15-man code.

The Chiefs forward earned himself representative honours after touring with the All Blacks and Maori All Blacks in 2022. He has also played for Wellington, Hawke's Bay, and the Chiefs.