Superstar’s live TV response to contract call; Roosters plot $14m move: Transfer Whispers

Isaah Yeo has responded to a report suggesting he has started talks with the Panthers over a possible extension.

Meanwhile, the Sydney Roosters are set to offer the richest deal in club history, the Melbourne Storm aren’t giving up on keeping one of their biggest stars, and a high-profile recruit appears on the verge of an NRL return.

All of this and more in the latest edition of NRL Whispers.

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BIG HINT ON PANTHERS SUPERSTAR’S FUTURE

While Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary doesn’t sound any closer to making a contract call, co-captain and teammate Isaah Yeo has dropped a big hint on his future.

Code Sports reported on Saturday night that Yeo has informed the Panthers he is keen to begin talking with the club about a contract extension.

Yeo is one of several high-profile Panthers set to come off-contract at the end of 2027 and while hooker Mitch Kenny has already extended, there are still a host of big names yet to lock in their future.

According to the publication, the Panthers have told those players to inform the club when they are willing to discuss a new deal and Yeo has reportedly taken that step.

The star lock forward was asked about the report on Fox League on Saturday night and while he was relatively tight-lipped, Yeo admitted his preference is to stay at Penrith.

“No, not yet,” Yeo said when asked if he had anything to share.

“I touched on it at the start of the year. I think I assumed everybody would go to November 1. My perfect world would be staying at Penrith. There was nothing that was going to happen over the Origin period.

“I’d love conversations to maybe start now, but that is news to me. But there might be things happening behind the scenes that I’m not aware of.”

ROOSTERS PLOT RICHEST DEAL IN CLUB HISTORY

The Sydney Roosters are preparing to make Sam Walker the highest-paid player in club history, with reports suggesting the star halfback is set to be offered a mammoth long-term contract to secure his future in Bondi.

According to Code Sports, the Roosters are preparing a 10-year deal worth a reported $1.35 million per season, a contract worth around $14 million that would make Walker the highest-paid player in the Bondi club’s 116-year history.

Walker does not become a free agent until November 1, but the Roosters are eager to move early amid expectations the NRL’s new $5.3 billion broadcast deal will drive player salaries to unprecedented levels.

Should he put pen to paper, the 24-year-old would overtake captain James Tedesco as the club’s highest-paid player and remain at the Roosters until the age of 34.

Reports also claim Roosters chairman Nick Politis views Walker as a once-in-a-generation talent and is determined to ensure he spends his entire NRL career at the club.

If the Roosters table the right offer, Walker is unlikely to test his value on the open market when he becomes a free agent on November 1.

While his management is reportedly flexible on the length of a new deal, a longer-term contract is understood to be the preferred outcome for both parties.

The Roosters could also face increased competition in the coming years, with Papua New Guinea entering the NRL in 2028 armed with tax-free salary cap concessions.

The expansion franchise is expected to target some of the game’s biggest names, including Walker and fellow Origin star Nathan Cleary, should they become available.

STORM MAKE FINAL PLAY FOR MUNSTER

The Melbourne Storm have made one final play to keep Cameron Munster, tabling a new contract for the superstar after the Papua New Guinea Chiefs were granted permission to begin negotiations with the Queensland Origin playmaker.

According to Code Sports, Melbourne has offered Munster a reported two-year deal worth $2 million as the club attempts to fend off the NRL’s newest franchise before its entry into the competition in 2028.

Storm chairman Matt Tripp admitted the club cannot compete with Papua New Guinea’s tax-free salary concessions but dismissed suggestions Melbourne had low-balled the 31-year-old.

“The reality is we can’t compete with PNG,” Tripp told the publication.

“We have tabled an offer that we hope will keep Cameron in Melbourne, but I can’t guarantee it because I don’t know what PNG are planning to offer.

“I haven’t given up hope that he finishes his career with Melbourne, but that will be down to him and his management.”

Despite the growing interest, Storm coach Craig Bellamy said he would support whatever decision Munster believes is best for himself and his family.

“Mun has done a whole heap for our club over a long period of time,” Bellamy said on Friday.

“If he sees that he wants to go to the team in Papua New Guinea, I’d be happy to let him go.

“He’s done a lot for our club and been a valuable servant and very loyal. If he wants to do that and it’s going to help him later in life, then he goes with my blessing.”

While PNG have formally expressed their interest in Munster, the Maroons star is reportedly not the expansion club’s first-choice target, with the franchise expected to assess all available free agents when the market opens on November 1.

PNG CHIEFS SET TO LAND MARQUEE PLAYER

The Papua New Guinea Chiefs are closing in on another marquee signing, with Zac Lomax meeting club officials as the expansion franchise edges closer to securing the high-profile recruit.

According to Code Sports, Lomax, who is currently playing Super Rugby with the Western Force after being blocked from an immediate NRL return to the Parramatta Eels, is on the verge of agreeing to terms with the Chiefs.

The 26-year-old, who travelled to the meeting with members of his family, is reportedly set to sign a multi-year contract worth between $700,000 and $800,000 per season.

Barring any late setbacks, Lomax is expected to formally commit to the Chiefs in the coming days, becoming one of the club’s marquee signings ahead of its inaugural NRL campaign in 2028.

Lomax will remain with the Western Force through next season as he pursues his ambition of becoming a dual international and earning Wallabies selection before making his return to rugby league.

Should the deal be finalised, the versatile outside back would become the second addition to the Chiefs’ backline alongside NRL record-breaking try-scorer Alex Johnston.