The South Sydney Rabbitohs are set to increase their offer for star five-eighth Cody Walker in a bid to retain his services beyond the end of the season.
Walker's situation has been an intriguing one at the contract table, with the veteran off-contract at the end of the 2026 campaign.
He was not included in the Rabbitohs list of departures at the end of their final game, providing hope he may yet stay at the Maroubra-based club for 2027.
It has been widely reported contract negotiations have continued since, although the two parties are some distance apart on contract valuation.
The Rabbitohs, in the latest reports, had only offered Walker around $300,000 per season, well short of what he was after to play on for 2027.
Walker's injuries and fitness as he approaches the back-end of his career has been a major question mark for South Sydney, although he was strong in getting through the 2027 season.
With there understood to be English Super League teams showing interest in Walker for a career swansong, it's understood the Rabbitohs, who it has to be said have one of the game's tighter salary cap situations, have increased their offer to around $400,000 per season according to News Corp.
It's believed that is as far as the Rabbitohs are willing to go go though, with Walker now needing to make a decision on whether he wants to play on with the Rabbitohs, head overseas, or indeed hang up the boots.
Adding to the question for Walker is the fact he is believed to already virtually have a job after rugby league locked up with South Sydney in a mentoring or coaching capacity.
The long-term Rabbitoh has no desire to leave, but will look after his own interests if he does indeed to play on - and all signs have pointed to that being the case at this stage.
