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.

11. Gold Coast Titans

The Titans seems a very unlikely landing spot for Cleary given they have AJ Brimson, Keano Kini and Jayden Campbell on long-term deals.

But if success doesn't come, they may try to move some cash around and find a way to bring him in.

Certainly, the club are yet to spend most of the money they were outlying on David Fifita, and in part, that's because they are still paying a chunk of his salary over at the Rabbitohs.

If the Titans decide to make a play for Cleary, it's going to be because Jayden Campbell hasn't quite mastered the art of the halfback yet.

That could see him move to five-eighth, with Cleary slotting in as his new halves partner.

The bottom line is, when a player of Cleary's talent becomes available and your team is struggling, you move mountains to try and make it work.

3 COMMENTS