The St George Illawarra Dragons are now being viewed as 'unlikely' to chase Jarome Luai.
Luai is off-contract at the end of the 2024 season and, while the Penrith Panthers are desperate to hang onto the star New South Wales State of Origin and three-time premiership winning five-eighth, there are no guarantees.
The financial gap has reportedly been closed in recent days between the Panthers and what Luai might be able to receive on the open market, with the November 1 deadline when Luai will be able to talk with rival clubs approaching.
Penrith were originally said to be only able to offer $700,000 for the five-eighth, but if recent reports are to be believed, that has now increased to $850,000.
Luai's decision will be one of money against success though given it's believed he could attract a million dollars per season on the open market.
With Talatau Amone's future unclear and the Dragons looking to rebuild under Shane Flanagan, they were one club who were believed to be ready to come to the table, but News Corp's David Riccio told SEN Radio that the move is now unlikely, with Tom Dearden instead shaping as a potential option.
“I'm going to say it won't happen, I get the sense the Saints won't go down that path with Jarome Luai,” Riccio told SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“(They won't be) willing to invest that significant amount of money in Jarome.
“I get that sense that they'll make a play for Tom Dearden, he's a young player and you'll get him a lot cheaper than a million dollars.
“They will still attempt to make a massive money play and drag him out of the Cowboys.
“If you ask me, I'm going Dearden ahead of Luai for the Dragons.”