Bronson Xerri's name has lived in the headlines in recent days following his axing and apparent release request from the Canterbury Bulldogs.

Dropped from Canterbury's 22-man squad for their Round 3 clash with the Canberra Raiders, the star centre has had everything from being unhappy with a switch of sides, to unhappy with a demotion to the NSW Cup levelled against him.

The Bulldogs, through ever-talkative director of football Phil Gould, have claimed Xerri hasn't asked for a release, but where there is smoke, there is generally fire.

It's understood plenty of clubs have already made inquiries with his management. It's not every day that a centre of his calibre comes up as a potential to leave their current club, if not immediately, then certainly at the end of the season.

Of course, his contract running to the end of 2027 with the Belmore-based outfit means there is no guarantee he is available at the end of this season.

With that in mind, we have looked at the most likely landing spots for Xerri, with some being more immediate than others.

5. Cronulla Sharks

The Sharks were Xerri's first home before he was rubbed out of the game with a long-term suspension.

But there is a very real world where he winds up back at the Shire for the next phase of his career, with Craig Fitzgibbon's side likely about to undergo a very large amount of change.

Stability has been the key theme at the Sharks in recent times, but after two preliminary finals on the bounce and with a stretched salary cap, they have double-digit players off-contract at the end of the year, and will have to part ways with a few.

One name that keeps getting floated around is centre Jesse Ramien, while Chris Vea'ila - his likely replacement - has already agreed to join the Perth Bears for 2027.

That could leave the Sharks looking for a replacement. Michael Gabreal is going to be great, and KL Iro has the other spot locked away, but Fitzgibbon's often slow approach to getting young talent into his side means the jury is still out on whether Gabreal will be considered a starter next year.

He should be, but that's not the point.

If the Sharks suddenly pop up in the Xerri conversation, you'll have your answer.