The negotiations between ex-NSW Blues representative Stefano Utoikamanu and the Wests Tigers have reportedly been put on hold as the club attempts to retain his services on a new long-term contract.
While he is technically off-contract at the end of 2025, a clause in Utoikamanu's contract could see him leave at the end of this year if he fails to be selected by Michael Maguire for the remaining two State of Origin games this year.
As multiple clubs circle the young prop and are believed to make a play for his services if he can leave at the end of the season, the Wests Tigers have reportedly offered him a $4 million five-year contractย in an attempt to keep him at the club.
However, reports fromย News Corpย have indicated that the negotiations between Utoikamanu and the Wests Tigers have been put on hold for the time being.
This comes after CEO Shane Richardson met with his manager, Daniel O'Loughlin, earlier this week for the first time since the club tabled the $4 million offer.
โIf he rejects our offer I'll know we're in trouble,โ Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson said onย 100% Footyย at the beginning of the week.
โIf he does, it makes me a very rich man. I've got a million dollars in salary cap at the moment, if Stefano leaves I'll have another million dollars in the salary cap. I'll be a very dangerous man in the marketplace.
"That's not what we want. What we want is for Stefano to stay. I want to work our way through that. Hanging around until the end of the season is not the way to go.โ
That potential deal would see the prop extend his time at the joint venture through to at least the end of 2029, while he would be on approximately $800,000 per year.
As it stands, the game's highest-paid forwards areย Tino Fa'asuamaleauiย of theย Gold Coast Titansย andย Payne Haasย at theย Brisbane Broncos, with both players on approximately $1.2 million per year.
Only the likes ofย David Fifita,ย Addin Fonua-Blake,ย Harry Grant,ย James Fisher-Harris,ย Cameron Murray,ย Junior Paulo,ย Luciano Leilua,ย Jeremiah Nanaiย andย Haumole Olakau'atuย would remain as better-paid forwards if Utoikamanu inks the new deal with the Tigers.
The Tigers, on their part, want an answer from Utoikamanu sooner rather than later so they can begin planning for 2025 one way or another.
