Sydney Roosters star halfback Sam Walker is officially set to hit the open market on November 1 after the club withdrew their contract offer for him.

The messy nature of the contract negotiations - which were apparently all but agreed to before Walker's management came back to the Roosters with new demands - makes the situation almost untenable at Bondi Junction for the Queensland and Australiand debutant.

So ordinary is the relationship now it has even been reported he would be clear for an early move if he can find an interested party for 2027.

That looks unlikely given how late into the preparations for next season it is, with clubs salary caps all close to full, and certainly not having a million-plus dollars lying around.

The Roosters will likely wind up stuck with him for 2027 unless they can orchestrate a player swap, but the halfback is almost certain to be elsewhere in 2028.

Plenty of clubs around the competition could find a pretty easy reason to make a play for the halfback, and here are the seven we have identified.

Here are the clubs most likely to make a play for Sam Walker.

4. South Sydney Rabbitohs

The Rabbioths are maybe the most intriguing club on this list, and with good reason given the state of their squad and what's to come.

Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell are the two big ticket iteams with their futures still to be worked out, Walker for 2027 and Mitchell past that.

Contract negotiations with Mitchell are currently on pause, and while Walker is set to play on in 2027, he is almost certain not to in 2028.

That leaves the Roosters with an intriguing prospect. Pool the money from the departing duo together to go and chase Sam Walker?

It would work, and if the club's primary need is to find a good halfback, then this is as far as they'll be looking on the open market.

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