Another hurdle has occurred in the PNG Chiefs' pursuit of Hudson Young, who can talk with rival clubs on November 1.
Young injured his Achilles in July and hopes to return in 2027 while negotiations with the Raiders continue.
Hudson Young has made 155 appearances for the club and has been one of the Raiders' best despite being outside the top eight.
Code Sports reported earlier in the week that he was granted permission to explore the Chiefs' facilities before November 1.
For months, the Chiefs have pursued Young; however, the club is unsure about his market value, as the NRL's 19th club is divided on its next steps.
The Raiders' latest offer is $1.1 million per season on a four-year extension from the initial three-year extension.
The Chiefs hope Young's market value has dropped to $900,000 due to his injury; however, new reports from Code Sports indicate that until the NRL provides a concrete number, they will not spend $10,000 on flights, transfers, and accommodation for Young and his agent, Sam Ayoub.
For Young to be assessed at a $900,000 market value, Ayoub will need to have conversations with the NRL or the RLPA to finalise the figure, which is $300,000 less than the Raiders' offer.
Every figure and contract must be approved by the NRL salary cap auditor.
Previously, players' salaries had to match the market value.
The market value was assessed by the price a rival club would be willing to pay.
Now, the NRL will allow players to challenge their market value in particular circumstances.
With permission to explore a deal with the Chiefs, the club has made it clear that Young would only travel to their facilities after agreeing to a deal that pays him $900,000 per season.
PNG Chiefs' recruitment strategy has been to agree on a salary figure before a player and their agent travel to Port Moresby.
The deal that saw Joseph Manu agree to sign with the Chiefs saw the 30-year-old wait one month until everyone agreed on a financial figure before travelling to explore their facilities.
This now gives Young three options, after the rule change allowing a player to challenge their market value and have it reassessed if they don't like the initial number.
