Penrith Panthers star Casey McLean is set to lock up his long-term future as the club continue to put the pieces of their contract jigsaw puzzle together.
McLean, who debuted at State of Origin level earlier this year for the NSW Blues, is not a player who has been earmarked as one likely to re-sign anytime soon.
He is off-contract at the end of 2028, and could well have been a prime target for the 20th team in the NRL when they are added in 2029.
At any rate, the 20-year-old is unable to negotiate with any clubs until at least November 1 next year, and his meteoric rise throughout the course of this year as part of Penrith's premiership-contending side could have seen his value continue to sky rocket before then.
But ESPN are reporting that McLean has decided to end any chance of speculation over his future, with a contract offer to be agreed upon.
Further to that, the Western Weekender are reporting the deal will be two years in length, running through to the end of 2030 and keeping him at the foot of the mountains for another four seasons from the start of 2027.
McLean is one of the best outside backs in the game, and his signature is a major coup for Penrith as they drag their way through one of the NRL's trickiest contract runs in recent memory.
The club have already started to set things in the right direction, with Mitch Kenny and Paul Alamoti re-signing, while the loss of Brian To'o at the end of the year also means Isaiah Papali'i is set to re-sign, while talks are ongoing with Isaah Yeo.
Nathan Cleary is maybe the biggest part of the puzzle for Penrith, but as it stands, the chance of him heading to November 1 remains a solid one.
McLean has played 45 NRL games on the wing or at centre for Penrith since debuting in 2024, scoring 26 tries.
To go with his NSW debut, McLean also has four Tests to his name for New Zealand across 2024 and 2025, and is expected to feature in the Rugby League World Cup squad for the end of the year.
