Penrith Panthers and NSW Blues star forward Liam Martin has made it clear the club will need to pay a figure they likely can't afford if they want his services beyond the end of 2027.
While talks are set to continue this week, the clock is ticking on the Panthers if they want his signature before November 1.
With Martin testing free agency now seeming a better than small possibility, there is a very real chance he will join Brian To'o on the way out of the club at the end of 2027.
The unfortunate truth of the situation for the Panthers is that they will have to shake some players at the end of next year to keep their premiership-competitive side together.
It's what they have done so well through the dynasty of success, but the loss of any of their top players, Martin included, would be a bitter pill to swallow given To'o has already confirmed his departure, and rumours continue to swirl around Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo.
With Penrith's salary cap stretched, here are the clubs who could make a play for Martin from November 1.
2. Perth Bears
The Perth Bears are going to have to follow the path set by the Dolphins over their first couple of years in existence.
Mal Meninga's side will almost certainly surprise some opposition outfits over the next year or two, but it's going to be a couple of seasons before they mount a serious fight.
That ultimately means the club need to find their way into signing players for 2028 and beyond, and with the right amount of money, Martin could be the sort of player they want as part of their footy side.
Hard-hitting, aggressive, knows how to win.
It's exactly what the Bears will be on the lookout for as they move forward, and certainly, any roster spots they open up for 2028 will come with plenty of cash able to be spent on them given their biggest issue for 2027 right now appears to be hitting the competition's salary floor.
