Newcastle Knights front-rower Jacob Saifiti is set to agree to a contract extension, as his contract status draws interest from rival clubs.

Saifiti has improved his form since his brother Daniel left the club in 2025 and has shown he could become the Knights' leading front-rower.

However, he was sent off and suspended after a direct shoulder-to-head high tackle on winger Luke Laulilii in the Knights' last match of the season against the New Zealand Warriors.

Saifiti received a four-week suspension and missed Newcastle's finals campaign, including a trip to the Grand Final, where his team fell short to the Sydney Roosters.

The 30-year-old has received an offer to extend with the Knights, per Code Sports.

The Fijian forward has also told the club he is willing to go to the open market on November 1.

Newcastle is reported to be paying Saifiti $700,000 per season, and if he doesn't sign the extension before the 2027 contract cycle begins, rival clubs will be ready to offer him a deal.

The Knights are in a tight spot given the contracts on their books, with Kalyn Ponga and Dylan Brown on over $1 million per season.

Bradman Best will also explore his options, and depending on how negotiations go between Best and the Knights, the club may make a play for Melbourne Storm dummy-half Harry Grant if he declines his player option for the 2028 season.

The club will also be without head of recruitment, Peter O'Sullivan, who has left effective immediately to take the same job at the Brisbane Broncos.

This season, Saifiti played 19 games and made 451 tackles at a 91.7 per cent efficiency, busted through 21 tackles, ran 95.6 metres per game, and had five offloads.

Newcastle also has Matt Arthur, Mat Croker, Harrison Graham, Fletcher Hunt, Asu Kepaoa, Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana and Pasami Saulo off-contract at the end of the 2027 season.

Saifiti has been named in the Fiji side for this year's World Cup and will take part in Mick Potter's 23-man squad.

Fiji will play the Cook Islands on October 18, the first match Saifiti has played since he was sent off in Round 26.