Superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic looks set to stick fat with Manly and sign a new contract worth as much as $3 million.
That’s according to The Sydney Morning Herald, who broke the news on Friday the Sea Eagles will table a fresh three-year deal to the 28-year-old.
It still needs to be approved by the club’s board.
While the offer is for $2.5m over three years, the Herald says his potential earnings could increase by as much as $500,000 if the NRL’s salary cap and broadcast deal goes up.
If Trbojevic does not sign the contract before November 1, he will become a free agent and able to be approached by rival clubs.
Newcastle legend Andrew Johns last week revealed the Knights were one team already keeping a close eye on the situation.
Jake and Tom Trbojevic. Getty
The development comes little more than a week after Nine’s Danny Weidler revealed Trbojevic was disenchanted with the Sea Eagles and had started exploring opportunities to leave.
Given he has no desire to play against Manly in the NRL, he had reportedly informed his agent to gauge interest from Super League teams.
In light of those revelations, Manly manager Peter Gentle reportedly sat down with Paul Sutton this week to hash out a deal to keep Trbojevic on Sydney’s northern beaches.
He will be 32 years old by the time the three-year contract ends.
Trbojevic is arguably the best player in the NRL when at his peak, but injuries have plagued him in recent years.
He won the 2021 Dally M Medal and is a state and international represenative when fit.
He has already ruled himself out of Australian contention for the Ashes tour next month.