Former player, player agent and current media personality Braith Anasta has confirmed Tom Dearden's management have spoken to clubs in Sydney about a possible move away from the North Queensland Cowboys.
It's the story that has refused to disappear from the headlines for much of the year, with Dearden linked to a move to Sydney.
It stems from the fact his partner is based in Sydney, and that she is pregnant with their first child.
Dearden has had to shut down the rumours, publicly, on multiple occasions this year, with a snap press conference called at one point for him to hose down any idea he wants out of the Cowboys.
Despite his comments, sections of the media have doubled down on the claim that he wants out.
Speaking on Fox League after the Cowboys came up short in an elimination final against the Cronulla Sharks on Saturday evening to end their season, Anasta again claimed Dearden's move to Sydney is a bigger likelihood than he is letting on, or the Cowboys and their fan base would like to imagine.
"The noise won't go away that he wants to move to Sydney. His partner is having their first child in Sydney, she is from Sydney,” Anasta said shortly after fulltime.
"I know I work on NRL 360 but the journos talk to me often about this and I've spoken to a few clubs who his management have approached."
While Anasta has handed in his player management credentials in recent weeks, he has been heavily involved in the contract space in recent times, and his comments are the closest thing to concrete evidence that conversations have indeed taken place around what a move could look like.
The Cowboys, who lose their other key attacking weapon in Scott Drinkwater to the St George Illawarra Dragons ahead of 2027, could ill-afford to lose Dearden, a Queensland State of Origin representative.
The half is the key to their attack, but is also contracted through to the end of 2029.
It means he is legally not allowed to negotiate with other clubs unless express permission is granted by the Cowboys until at least November 1, 2028.
His contract value, rumoured to be around $700,000 per year, is well below what he could expect if he were to hit the open market anytime soon though.
The 25-year-old, who has battled injury issues at times this year, could yet be included in the Australian squad for the Rugby League World Cup that starts on October 15 in Sydney.
The Cowboys had their season come to an end on Saturday evening with a narrow ten-point loss to the Cronulla Sharks.
