St George Illawarra Dragons halfback Lachlan Ilias has been linked with a surprise off-season move to the Gold Coast Titans.

The halfback has fallen out of favour during the 2025 campaign at the Dragons.

Despite starting in the number seven jersey at the start of the campaign, Shane Flanagan dropped the half inside the opening ten rounds of the year and he was never recalled.

The NSW Cup Dragons side managed to make the grand final before falling short at Parramatta on Sunday afternoon against the minor premier New Zealand Warriors.

Ilias has all but been told he is clear to leave the joint-venture though, and it's believed he is actively looking for a way out of the club, whether that be through an Australian or English move.

The Gold Coast Titans, per a News Corp report, have now emerged as the possible next destination for the halfback.

The Titans have had a difficult 2025 campaign, and while they narrowly avoided the wooden spoon, it's likely there will be changes to the roster in the coming months as Josh Hannay takes over in the coaching chair from Des Hasler.

One of the already confirmed changes is the retirement of veteran New Zealand international half Kieran Foran. With the club also letting Tom Weaver go, and working through 2025 with a revolving door in the halves as they attempted to sort out their three fullback situation, a new half is certainly on the agenda for the Robina-based side.

Jayden Campbell played halfback throughout 2025, but whether he is the long-term option at the club, and the matter of who partners him at five-eighth, remains up in the air.

Ilias is still contracted to the Red V for next year, but given he is almost certainly free to leave, he could wind up making the move north for 2026.

That could also mean the Dragons are able to push for a player swap.

It's understood the Red V have expressed interest in signing outside back Phillip Sami for 2027 when his contract expires, but with the Titans already confirming the experienced back won't be part of their long-term plans, it's unlikely Josh Hannay and his recruitment staff would stand in the way of him leaving early.

According to the report, there were also discussions around the Titans making a play for Jackson Hastings, but that move won't be proceeding.