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.
1. PNG Chiefs
The PNG Chiefs would seem something of a natural fit for Martin given the club have already signed two players he has played alongside for a long time in Brian To'o and Jarome Luai.
The big question around whether they could stomach the money for Martin or not though will stem from whether they are able to sign Hudson Young.
By all reports, the Raiders star is their forward priority, and it could well be that a deal is done sooner rather than later if permission is granted by his current job.
If that doesn't happen though, the Chiefs have money to attack the forward market and will need to bring winning experience and standards to their outfit for their inaugural season.
Martin has both of those in droves.
