Shock factor in Knights’ $1m retention battle for Origin star revealed: Transfer Whispers

Has Sam Walker’s price gone up?

The Roosters’ talented halfback made a triumphant return in the preliminary finals, steering his side to a win over the Dolphins on return from a syndesmosis injury.

Over the past few weeks, the Roosters and Walker’s management have been involved in a contract standoff which has raised fears he will test his value on the open market come November 1.

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Despite him rejecting the club’s initial offer of a four-year extension worth around $1.1 million a season in July, Walker revealed he wants “to stay at the Roosters”.

However, his salary has been a major sticking point — with it previously being reported the Origin star’s camp were seeking a deal worth around $1.7 million per-season.

According to The Australian’s Brent Read, the Roosters may have to get closer to that figure and upgrade the deal that’s currently “on the table”.

“His price probably did go up after the weekend,” Read said on NRL360 on Monday night.

“I didn’t think it would, but it probably has, not significantly. But he’s got a good offer on the table... it probably went up a little bit.

“The talk is the (Nathan) Cleary deal is around $1.7m, $1.8m per-year... I’m not saying he’s there, but he’s not far off thought.”

Read indicated Walker could command $1.5 million, especially if he is able to help the Roosters down the Knights and lift the premiership trophy on Sunday.

“I don’t think he wants to go anywhere, Nick normally gets what he wants,” Read said.

Walker, meanwhile, moved to silence the contract rumblings after the preliminary finals victory.

“My preference is obviously to stay at the Roosters,” he told CODE Sports.

“For now I’m not thinking anything about that.

“My job is to go out there and perform and play football and the rest will take care of itself.

“I’ve not given that any thought at all until. There’s not a glimmer of thought about that at the moment.

“It’s about winning next Sunday.”

DEARDEN’S RESPONSE TO SHOCK RUMOURS

Tom Dearden’s agent has moved to silence persistent rumours his client is headed for the exit, insisting the gun halfback will remain at the Cowboys.

The 25-year-old’s current contract with the North Queensland club runs until the end of the 2029 season.

However, Dearden has consistently been linked with a move to Sydney, with multiple reporters hinting the Origin gun has a desire to relocate across the border.

Dearden’s manager Sam Ayoub got on the front foot to dispel the Cowboys’ concerns, telling the SMH his client won’t be departing early.

“I can’t say it strongly enough – Tom Dearden is going nowhere,” Ayoub said.

“He has come out publicly and said as much, and he’s telling the truth.

“I find it very disturbing when people are linking him to the South Sydney club. I have not talked to Souths or any club about Tom. He will be playing with the Cowboys.”

Dearden is reportedly unhappy with the continued chatter surrounding his future, but reportedly understands where it stems from.

His partner, who is currently pregnant, is still living in Sydney but is set to make the permanent move to Townsville in the coming months.

Benji Marshall is set to inject some battle-hardened leadership into his squad for the 2027 season, with Kurt Mann reportedly set to join the Tigers.

According to the SMH, Mann simply has to pass a medical before his switch to the merger club will be confirmed.

The 33-year-old joined the Bulldogs ahead of the 2024 season, emerging as a key cog in Cameron Ciraldo’s middle forward rotation.

He earned himself an Origin debut for Queensland last season, playing in two games during a series victory.

Now Mann is set for a new challenge, having previously spent time at the Knights, Dragons and Storm, where he began his career in 2014.

The veteran is also joined by experienced rake Jayden Brailey, with Marshall hoping their leadership can assist Api Koroisau in 2027.

RABBITOHS TABLE NEW DEAL TO VETERAN

The Rabbitohs have reportedly tabled a new deal for veteran five-eighth Cody Walker to remain at the club for the 2027 season.

However, according to Code Sports, the contract will include multiple incentives the talented playmaker will have to tick off in order to earn a higher salary.

The 36-year-old’s future at Souths has been in doubt this season and he reportedly admitted he was unsure if he would be retained at the recent Jai Arrow tribute dinner.

Walker suffered a cruel injury during the Rabbitohs finals loss to the Knights in a disappointing end to his and the club’s 2026 campaign.

However, he will have even more incentive to win games next year due to the contract tabled which reportedly sits between the $300,000 and $400,000 mark.

Rabbitohs powerbrokers are reportedly willing to include clauses which rely on him playing in winning games to increase his salary to around $450,000.

According to News Corp, Walker and his management have been left baffled by the proposed contract.

Souths bosses, however, are reportedly not willing to remove those incentives from the veteran’s contract, which could be his last in the NRL.

Walker reportedly has a two-year offer on the table from a Super League club and the Rabbitohs are aware of interest from other clubs.

What could also be telling for Walker’s future is the Rabbitohs moving to re-sign Jamie Humphreys on a multi-year contract.

Eels powerbrokers and Junior Paulo’s management have reportedly hit a major contract hurdle in the veteran’s bid to remain at the club.

According to Code Sports, the standoff centres around Paulo’s participating at the upcoming World Cup, with the veteran reportedly set to decide whether he features for Samoa.

If he does take the field, the Eels have reportedly advised Paulo’s agent that the club are unlikely to register his new contract until after the World Cup comes to an end. Paulo’s existing contract ends this year.

The 32-year-old is reportedly nursing a knee injury, but has a desire to take the field for his country and help their World Cup campaign.

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Parramatta bosses, meanwhile, view Paulo as a much-loved leader and have also begin discussions regarding a role at the club beyond his playing career.

Should a deal be struck after the World Cup, it would mean Paulo isn’t contracted for a full 12-month period and therefore reduce his potential salary.

The veteran prop recently knocked back a two-year deal to join Mal Meninga’s Bears squad due to the reported salary on offer.

KNIGHTS’ BEST BOOST REVEALED

Bradman Best is set to test his value on the open market, but a new factor that could decide where his NRL future lies has been revealed — his brother.

According to the SMH, the Origin centre has knocked back the initial offer tabled by Newcastle, with that move putting rival clubs on notice.

The 25-year-old could be set to field contract offers worth north of $1 million come November 1 — but Newcastle are reportedly unlikely to be able to match that figure.

Best has been linked with a shock switch to join the Eels, who could also make a play for a mammoth list of off-contract centres set to be free to negotiate.

Latrell Mitchell, Herbie Farnworth, Matt Burton and Jack Wighton headline that list alongside Best, who is set to have his 17-year-old brother Baxter join him at the Knights next year.

“It’d be pretty special, obviously. It’s a goal and obviously a dream of mine to play with my younger brother,” Best said.

“It would be pretty special, so hopefully if it happens, it’d be unreal. It does [figure in my thinking] a bit. Obviously, I’ll weigh everything up.

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I haven’t thought about it too much, but I’ve got to worry about myself. I’ve got a family now as well — a little bub and partner — so I’ll worry about that.”

Baxter Best will join Newcastle after a stint with the Broncos.

Meanwhile, his brother addressed his reported links to Parramatta directly, saying: “I guess it is good hearing that other clubs want you – you don’t want to be coming off contract and no one wants you.

“But look, like I said, I don’t really worry about that. I just let my manager handle it, and he’ll sort that out.”