Canberra Raiders star Hudson Young is set to enter talks with the incoming PNG Chiefs next month.
The Raiders have offered the NSW State of Origin star the most lucrative contract in club history, but the arrival of the NRL's 19th franchise has opened up a serious option for the 28-year-old.
Young will be granted permission to speak with the Chiefs for one week in September, with the back-rower potentially set to tour the club's facilities as he explores what could be on offer in Port Moresby.
Zero Tackle understands Young's preference is to remain in Canberra; however, he is open to exploring what the Chiefs have to offer before making a final decision on his future.
No negotiations have taken place at this stage due to the NRL's anti-tampering rules, with the Raiders allowing Young to hold talks once he is more mobile following his season-ending Achilles injury.
The Raiders last week increased their initial three-year contract extension offer for Young to $3.3 million, with the deal understood to be worth around $1.1 million per season.
It would make Young the highest-paid player in Raiders history, surpassing the $4 million, four-year deal Jack Wighton was offered by Canberra in 2023 before ultimately turning down the offer to join South Sydney.
However, the Chiefs could have an important advantage in their pursuit of Young through the tax incentives available to players joining the new PNG franchise.
If Young is viewed as a Priority A recruit, as is believed to be the case, PNG could potentially offer more than Canberra's $1.1 million-per-season proposal while still providing Young with tax-free benefits.
The one-week window will allow Young to assess the Chiefs' proposal, while Canberra can ensure other clubs do not have the opportunity to enter the race before November 1.
If Young cannot reach an agreement with PNG or finalise an extension with the Raiders, he will not be permitted to negotiate with other clubs until after November 1.
That deadline could become increasingly significant for Canberra if Young's future remains unresolved, with the Raiders needing to balance retaining their Origin star against a major reshuffle of their forward pack.
Front-row legend Josh Papalii, Corey Horsburgh, Morgan Smithies and Jayden Brailey are all set to leave the club at the end of the season, leaving Canberra with a need to bolster its middle-forward stocks while retaining Young in its second row.
Raiders also have an array of other players coming into the open market from November 1, including Sebastian Kris, Myles Martin, Matty Nicholson, Ethan Sanders, Xavier Savage and Tom Starling.
After securing an array of talent in their backline, the Chiefs' forward pack becomes their next major focus as they assemble their inaugural roster ahead of their entry into the NRL in 2028.
Young is understood to be among their leading targets, while PNG are also expected to pursue several options, with Cooper Bai, Victor Radley, Isaah Yeo, J'maine Hopgood, Moses Leota and Xavier Willison among the players who could come into consideration for the expansion club from November 1.
