Penrith Panthers, New South Wales Blues and Australian Kangaroos superstar Nathan Cleary is set to test the open market for the first time in his career.
While he hasn't said it's a guarantee, he has certainly hinted it's going to happen.
The Penrith Panthers have a stretched salary cap, and just maybe, the star halfback is getting itchy feet around what his legacy will be if he never tries to play outside of the Penrith system.
There are plenty of fresh challenges around the competition for him to have a crack at while he is still in the prime of his career.
From heading to an under fire club, to an expansion one, to linking up with another premiership contender, all options are on the table for a player who will fetch well and truly over a million per season once he starts to test his true worth from November 1.
Penrith are still a great chance of capturing Cleary's signature, but if he does leave the foot of the mountains, where does he wind up?
We have analysed and ranked every club's chance of landing the Penrith star.
7. Perth Bears
The Bears lodging a bid for Cleary in what will be their second season as an NRL club is an obvious no-brainer.
Perth will be looking for upgrades all the way around, given the way they have struggled through (at the time of writing) their first 16 signings.
The reason they ultimately appear so low on this list though is, seemingly anyway, the chance of Cleary relocating across the country for a side heading into their second season seems slim.
It doesn't do a whole lot for his legacy to join an established franchise, there is no tax break like in Papua New Guinea, and to play out of Western Australia will take a mighty effort with flights and other issues being all-consuming.
Still, Perth are likely to put forward a monster offer.
every team except for the dogs it would seem
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