The Cronulla Sharks have offered fullback Valentine Holmes a mega five-year $4 million deal to remain at the club, according to The Courier Mail.
The Sharks have reportedly lifted their efforts of retaining the 23-year old, who is contacted until 2020, but is eligible to to start negotiating with rival teams from November 1 this year.
The Cowboys have been linked to Holmes and are trying to bring the native North Queenslander make to his hometown, also reportedly offering him a full-time position as their starting fullback.
Sharks officials are pursuing a three-year extension to the high-flyer that would equate to a five-year package all up, worth at least $800,000 a season.
It is a contract that North Queensland may not be able to match, given lock Jason Taumalolo and Origin star Michael Morgan are on lucrative long-term deals.
Taumalolo believes Holmes would be an important addition to the Cowboys.
“He could (be great at the Cowboys). He definitely adds something to Cronulla,” he told The Sunday Mail.
“He is one of those players that can turn nothing into something. That is what makes him so dangerous.
“Val’s still at Cronulla, but if he does choose to come home he could definitely add something to the Cowboys.
“He could be that extra spark and X-factor. He can change games by himself.”
Queensland Origin selector Darren Lockyer said Holmes is an ideal prospect to build a club around.
“He’s the type of guy you can build a club around for a long time,” Lockyer told The Sunday Mail.
“At the start of the year, everyone was saying Val is only a winger but I’ve been really impressed with him as a fullback in the past month.
“He has developed a good passing game, he is reading the play well.
“He would be a great signing for the Cowboys but I’m sure Cronulla will do everything possible to keep him.”
