SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 15: David Fifita stretches during the Australian Rugby League Nines team training session at Old Saleyards Reserve on October 15, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
The Roosters and Rabbitohs are two clubs bidding for the signature of Broncos youngster David Fifita.
The Roosters are thought to be planning to use the funds freed up by the retirement of Cooper Cronk while the Rabbitohs are looking to take the cap space from medically retiring skipper Sam Burgess.
Fifita is expected to attract a $1 million per season price tag and has been likened to Sonny Bill Williams after playing well for the Broncos, Queensland and Australia at the World Cup Nines.
Despite only making 35 NRL appearances so far the 19-year-old has already played for Queensland, the Prime Ministers XIII, the Indigenous All Stars and Australia and will play for the Junior Kangaroos against France on Friday afternoon.
Fifita can officially start negotiations with clubs on November 1 but the Roosters and Rabbitohs have already expressed their interest.
Steve Deacon, Fifita's manager, is trying to minimise the hype and pressure on his star player.
“There has been enough said about the matter (his contract) at this stage,” Deacon said.
“He’s got other things to concentrate on at the moment.”
The Roosters will need to upgrade some of their stars after their second premiership including Latrell Mitchell and Sam Verrilis and will be reluctant to pay Fifita more than Boyd Cordner and James Tedesco, their current highest paid players.
Brisbane are the only club thought to be capable of matching the Roosters for an offer and coach Anthony Seibold is desperate to keep Fifita at the Broncos.