The Newcastle Knights have rejected the St George Illawarra Dragons offer to swap Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Kurt Mann, as reported by The Newcastle Herald.
Knights coach Nathan Brown is keen to acquire Mann next year to play hooker, but was unwilling to part with Kenny-Dowall.
Despite the proposed trade from the Dragons not eventuating, it is still possible that Mann lands with Newcastle.
It is understood that the Knights remain confident of signing the utility to a three-year deal, which may drag out as the Dragons search for another outside back amid talks ending with Jarryd Hayne.
Mann is keen to rejoin the Knights and make the full time switch to hooker, while the Dragons would reportedly not stand in his way if he received a long-term contract elsewhere and they could find a replacement.