The rumoured reunion between the Dragons and prop Trent Merrin may come to fruition in the coming weeks amid reports the club is likely to gain access to a significant chunk of salary cap space.
It is expected that around $270,000 will be cleared, approximately half of Jack de Belin's reported $545,000 salary for 2019, as a result of the ruling surrounding the 28-year-old lock's suspension last week.
This assumes the club makes a successful application for salary cap dispensation. A successful application would likely give the Dragons the financial means to pursue Merrin.
Reports have swirled for weeks regarding the 29-year-old's desire to leave English Super League club Leeds, with the Dragons long believed to be his most likely destination.
The de Belin saga is believed to have held up the progress of a deal between the club and Merrin, but with the former's short-term playing future now decided, both sides can proceed with greater clarity.
By NRL rule, the Dragons need to sign two players by the end of June.