Brisbane Broncos representative star Payne Haas is on the record suggesting he doesn't want to leave Red Hill.
Brisbane is home for Haas. That much is fairly clear.
But money talks, salary cap pressures bite, and with the new Saudi Arabian-backed Rugby 360 competition also reportedly talking to his management, what looked like a possible sure thing - Haas staying in Brisbane - looks less and less like it by the week.
Off-contract at the end of 2026, the Brisbane Broncos still have exclusive negotiating rights for the star until November 1 this year, but then, it'll be open slather.
The Broncos are unable to make any traction on a deal while they are still alive in the competition, and then will have just a matter of weeks to sort things out with Haas.
He is, without doubt, the best prop in the game.
If he gets to November 1, then anyone with the cash and in need of a forward pack leader is going to want to put an offer on the table for the star.
That'll include the Perth Bears who have a blank cheque book, but there are other clubs who could easily turn Haas into the game's highest-paid player.
It's something the Broncos won't be able to do given the other big-money deals they have for players, led by he seven-figure contract for Reece Walsh.
Haas is already on that seven-figure mark, but increasing from the low to mid one million dollar value is unlikely to be in Brisbane's plans.
So, if Haas does decide it's time for a shake-up, where will he land?
We look at all 16 other clubs, as well as the Perth Bears, and rate the chance.
3. Would consider making an offer
Canterbury Bulldogs
What we don't really know about the Bulldogs is the position of their salary cap.
They certainly have some big-money names at the club, and have suggested they are also about to lock up Stephen Crichton on a long-term deal, which will take up significant cash.
There is the issue hanging around the club though regarding the make up and balance of their rostero, with all of Matt Burton, Lachlan Galvin and Mitchell Woods to be contracted.
There was some talk recently that Matt Burton could be released if the Perth Bears come calling, which could see the Bulldogs look to complete the final piece of their own puzzle and make an offer for Haas.
It'll be talked about Belmore, almost certainly.
Manly Sea Eagles
We have all heard the talk about Manly being in salary cap strife, but with Daly Cherry-Evans leaving the club at the end of this year, and the Trbojevic brothers - Jake and Tom that is - set to take a pay cut if staying at the club at all for 2027 and beyond, there is suddenly money available.
The Sea Ealges have been rumoured to be interested in Haas before, but now could look at making a full scale tilt at the prop if things work out as expected on the salary cap front in the coming weeks.
The bottom line is, while Manly have Taniela Paseka to lead the engine room, there isn't a great deal else, and a player like Haas could shake the very foundations of the Sea Eagles.
Watch this space.
South Sydney Rabbitohs
Payne Haas and Wayne Bennett.
It's a scary combination before you even think about it beyond the two names.
The Rabbitohs would need to secure Haas on a significantly unders contract if they were to sign him though, given they already have two-million dollar players contracted into 2027 in Cameron Murray at lock and Latrell Mitchell at either fullback or centre.
Add that to substantial deals for Jack Wighton, Tevita Tatola, Brandon Smith, Campbell Graham, Jai Arrow and Lewis Dodd if they can't get rid of him, as well as the need to upgrade Jye Gray.
They'll consider it, but it looks unlikely to actually proceed.
The Dolphins
The Dolphins are unlikely to make an offer for Haas, but that could change rapidly if Thomas Flegler doesn't return from the shoulder injury that has threatened his career.
If he gets back to fitness though, the club have Flegler, Daniel Saifiti and Max Plath in the middle third, with young talent on the way through and Tom Gilbert stuck out in the second-row.
Things could change rapidly here, and the Dolphins would love to steal another key talent from the Broncos.
