The Titans are looking to put together the biggest contract in the club's 12-year history to Jai Arrow worth $4 million as a number of rival clubs circle, as reported by The Courier Mail.
Last night, Arrow insisted that he would not walk out on the Titans if the club could come to an agreement.
“My preference is to stay,” Arrow said.
“To be honest, I love the Titans as a club and on paper our team can be anything.
“We have some individual superstars and while we aren’t clicking as a team at the moment, I’m confident we can build something special in the future and I hope to be a part of that.”
The news of Arrow wanting to stay has come at the perfect time, with coach Garth Brennan recently sacked, leaving the Titan's community in disarray.
Reports have revealed that there may be a five-year mega deal that will keep Arrow on the glitter strip until the end of 2025.
Arrow is currently contracted until the end of 2020, but club culture chief Mal Meninga is keen to keep Arrow at the Titans for his whole career, with the view of the Maroons tackling machine becoming captain one day.
It is understood that the 24-year-old would be offered $800,000 a season over five years, officially trumping the three-year, $3 million deal handed to half back Ash Taylor in 2017.
Eight NRl clubs have expressed interest in Arrow, including the Bulldogs, Dragons, Eels, Sharks and Tigers, but it will take more than $1 million a season to lure the Queensland-er away from his home.
Official talks with rival clubs can begin by November 1, but the Titans plan to have Arrow locked away by then.
“The fact is I’m happy at the club and I’m happy on the Gold Coast,” Arrow said.
“My manager has called me and told me we’ve started talks with the Titans.
“I’m trying not to get caught up in all the contract stuff. I have a manager and that’s why I pay him – to sort out my future and negotiate the best deal possible.”
The 57-gamer was previously at the Broncos, where he was unable to secure himself a spot in their starting line-up.
Since coming across at the end of 2017, Arrow has been a regular starter for Gold Coast, which has ultimately led to him being an Origin player.
Titans fans are hoping to see him return from ankle surgery within the next fortnight, including the match against the Broncos on Saturday week.
“My rehab has come along really well,” he said.
“My season isn’t over. I’m looking at around round 19 (for a comeback), so I’ll get the next five or six games in which I am happy with.
“Initially, I thought I would be done for the season but I’d love to get a good month of footy and build some confidence leading in the 2020 season.”
No forward is worth a million per season, any club paying that anmount is paying at least 300k over. Most props play 50 mins some 2nd rowers and locks play 80 but not many. Not even Taumalolo plays 80. Arrow this season has played 12 games totaling 693min averaging 57mins per game. 800k is 300k to much. IMO
If other clubs are willing to pay near a million per season & The Titans see him as someone to build the playing roster around. What does the club do other than pay him more to stay?
Arrow undoubtedly…. would be the perfect replacement for our ancient and disgraced former premiership winning captain Sutton when he retires….whom himself… was replaced as captain….by a red and transit lounged green import from Melbourne….in the NSW Queenslander…..Inglis.