Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs centre Matt Burton is set to head to the free agency open market on November 1 this year.
Burton is currently off-contract at the end of 2027, meaning he can speak to rival clubs for a 2028 deal in roughly five weeks' time.
9News is reporting Burton's management sent an email to NRL clubs regarding his client's availability, who will review offers starting from November, with Burton headlining the list.
With the Bulldogs looking to settle their halves and Burton making a switch back to centre, it's likely the club see him as a long-term outside back option moving into the new season.
Burton has proven to be a star in both five-eighth and centre.
With a powerful kicking game and strong acceleration, he would be of value to many clubs looking to add X-factor to their side.
Burton's most notable attribute is his powerful left-foot bombs, leaving defending fullbacks scrambling for a chance to catch the towering kick.
Lachlan Galvin has cemented himself in the halves with a quality year on the paddock, and skipper Stephen Crichton has emerged as the latest five-eighth option.
Along with the ongoing development of exciting prospect Mitchell Woods, there is little room for Burton in 2027 in the playmaking duties.
It saw Burton pushed back to the centre role for the second half of the season, the position he won a premiership in 2021 with the Penrith Panthers.
The Bulldogs are understood to still be heavily keen on keeping Burton in Belmore, but he will still compare offers for 2028 as he decides his next career move.
Burton offers NSW representative experience, playing three games in State of Origin after being hailed as the ultimate utility who can slot into multiple positions at a high level.
He also has five Test international appearances with Australia, and featured across the 2022 World Cup campaign in England on the Kangaroos tour.
Burton's best work comes in his running game, averaging over 130 metres per game and offers rich attacking threat when he takes on the line.
Burton finished his 2026 season with 23 appearances in blue and white, recording nine tries, seven forced drop outs and seven try assists, while hitting 23 goals off the boot.
