The noise, speculation and rumours around the future of star St George Illawarra Dragons half Ben Hunt are unlikely to be going anywhere anytime soon.

The Queensland State of Origin winner - who can play either halfback or hooker - is off-contract at the end of 2023 and reports suggest the Dragons are having plenty of trouble tying him down.

From the idea that Hunt potentially wants a clause added to his contract regarding the future of coach Anthony Griffin, to reports suggesting the Dragons 'lowballed' Hunt with an offer of around $750,000 per season, the Dragons have just over two months remaining until Hunt gains the right to negotiate with any other club in the competition.

That is a scary thought for Dragons fans when they consider exactly how good he has been this year, and how poor the remainder of the team have played around him.

While the Dragons will be desperate to retain Hunt, it's no sure thing, and with clubs already showing interest, Zero Tackle looks at the top five clubs not named the Dragons where he could end up in 2024.

3. Newcastle Knights

In much the same way that Mitchell Pearce joined the club in the twilight of his career to bring experience and composure to the Knights, Ben Hunt could be a realistic option for the 2024 season.

It should be noted that the Knights are in the process of working on a more immediate solution for 2023. That is, bringing Tyson Gamble to the club from the Brisbane Broncos, and attempting to convince the Tigers to hand an early release to Luke Brooks.

But taking that Brooks fails, and Gamble ends up at the club, the Knights could still be on the lookout for a game-breaker come the 2024 season, and that could well be Ben Hunt.

Whether he takes the punt and moves to the Hunter remains to be seen should the Knights make a play, but a combination of Hunt and Kalyn Ponga could be a sight for sore eyes for the club with one of the NRL's most passionate fan bases.

Hunt would bring a controlled kicking game to the Knights and, provided they could pair him with a strong five-eighth, could take them to a level in attack that they haven't been anywhere near in the last 24 months.