- Jarome Luai's NRL future remains up in the air
- The out-of-contract star is rumored to be on the move
- Wests Tigers have tabled a five-year contract worth $6 million
Out-of-contract NRL star Jarome Luai has been accused of being extremely disrespectful to the Panthers. While rumors continue to swirl, the three-time premiership winner wants to leave the club immediately.
The 58th Luai, 26, is reportedly close to signing a five-year deal with the Wests Tigers from 2025, worth $6 million.
While the Samoan international stated on Instagram 'No pen to paper here. I'll let you know when a deal is made. Big Love', following online speculation on December 16, he has already told his Penrith teammates he will be leaving the club.
Luai allegedly treated his boyhood club with a lack of class when he “had someone else call and tell them (Panthers) that he wasn't coming to training (Monday) because he was angry with them,” the spokesman said. Sydney Morning Herald reported.
It remains unknown if Luai returned to pre-season training on Tuesday.
NRL star Jarome Luai has been accused of being extremely disrespectful to the Panthers
Luai's future with the Panthers was first called into question in November when his coach Ivan Cleary told reporters it would be a “risk” for rival NRL clubs to sign Luai as a playmaker given his lack of experience in the role .
Seemingly in response to Cleary, Luai soon took to Instagram and posted an image to his story with the tagline “know your worth”
It also comes after NRL premiers granted Luai a leave of absence in an attempt to clear his head as the contract saga continues.
Further complicating matters are the new contract rules, which stipulate that players must lodge an intention to sign a new contract with the NRL, who then notify the incumbent club in question.
They will then be given 10 days to make a counter-offer – and perhaps tellingly, Luai's paperwork has yet to be submitted to the NRL.
The Bulldogs – led by supremo Phil Gould – are said to be closely monitoring the situation.
A move to Belmore instead of Concord wouldn't be a surprise as Luai is close to head coach Cameron Ciraldo and former teammates Stephen Crichton and Matt Burton.
When asked whether Penrith would entertain the idea of releasing Luai early from his current deal, CEO Brian Fletcher was emphatic.
Penrith could only offer Luai $850,000 per season to stay long-term, while halves partner Nathan Cleary (pictured with father Ivan) pockets $1.3m per year
“It is absolutely impossible that we let Jarome terminate his contract in 2024 to play for a rival club,” he told Fox Sports.
“Plus, Jarome (he said) wants to be with the Panthers for the last year of his contract.”
His future with the Panthers was first called into question last month when coach Ivan Cleary told reporters it would be a 'risk' to sign Luai as a playmaker given his lack of experience in the role.
The five-eighth – who guided Samoa to the World Cup final last year with jersey number seven – responded on Instagram by posting an image to his story with the slogan 'know your worth.'