Is Liam Martin about to become the NRL's next million dollar player?
If the Penrith Panthers want to re-sign him, then he will be.
According to reports, Martin has demanded a contract worth $1 million a season, and for a deal to be finalised by the end of next week, or he would hit the open market on November 1.
Pundits are torn on Martin's asking price, with many in agreement that it may seriously hinder Penrith's chances at re-signing Nathan Cleary due to the strain it'd place on the club's salary cap.
A loyal servant to the club, Martin made his debut for the Panthers in 2019, and has made 160 appearances, winning four premierships and representing the NSW Blues 15 times in State of Origin.
If the 29-year-old were to hit the open market, speculation has already begun about where the forward might land.
“I reckon someone might give him that. The Wests Tigers have a situation at the moment where Samuela Fainu is a November 1 guy,” Brent Read said on NRL 360.
“I'd go and get Liam Martin. I think they should be open to it (paying $1 million). I think he'd be great for that footy club. I think he'd be great for the culture there, I just think he's a good fit for that footy club. It's whether he wants to go there, that's another issue.
“I think for the Tigers, he'd be a more important player for them (than Fainu). Just for their culture, toughness and leadership.
“For next year, the pressure's going to be on Benji. I think they need to make some signings and I know Liam Martin won't be there next year, but just think he'll be good for their culture."
As Read mentioned, the Tigers would be sacrificing their future in Fainu for a proven winner and Clive Churchill medalist in Martin, but the club may be wary of offering such a lucrative contract in the wake of how things have panned out with Jarome Luai.
Martin has been named to start tonight's clash against the Melbourne Storm as the Panthers look to get their season back on track after back-to-back defeats.
