Rising star Joey Manu has started talking contract extensions with the premiers in a bid to ensure he does not go to market in November.
Alongside Manu is centre Latrell Mitchell, who headlines an all-star troupe of players entering the market at the end of rugby league’s calendar year. The international duo along with Jake Friend, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Siosiua Taukeiaho are all off-contract at the end of the season.
It is understood that Mitchell and his management have put contract talks on hold amid a drama-filled period but will resume before the end of the season. Manu has done similar, placing talks on hold in order to focus on what is left of the season, but plans to put pen to paper at the conclusion of the 2019 season.
"We've started up those talks with the club," Manu told NRL.com.
"I want to be here, we started it up a while ago but I've since said I'm focusing on my footy and the end of the season which I think is best for everyone.
"I've given it a little bit of thought and have had a few chats with my manager, it is your future after all.
"I said I want to focus on this season and where we're heading.
"I'm happy here at the moment, it's a good crew, a good team and everyone wants to win. I love being in a winning team so we'll look after that stuff in the off-season and see what we can do there."
Manu has quickly become one of the game’s best centres. Fellow centre and teammate Mitchell agrees with this fact, stating that Manu could be the most elite centre in the game following a square-off between the pair at international level last year.