The Penrith Panthers have emerged as a potential suitor for Luke Brooks as they assess their halves options ahead of the 2027 NRL season.
Brooks could be granted an early release from the Manly Sea Eagles despite being contracted to the club for next season, potentially opening the door for a move elsewhere.
ESPN has revealed the Panthers are monitoring Brooks situation at Manly, with Penrith's interest coming at a time when Ivan Cleary's halves stocks have been thrown into uncertainty heading into next season.
Blaize Talagi held the Panthers' number six jersey for the majority of the season but was dropped towards the back end of the campaign, with Cleary instead turning to Jack Cogger and Jack Cole as he searched for the right combination alongside his son.
Despite securing the minor premiership, Penrith's season ended in the preliminary final, with Nathan Cleary suffering a horrific foot injury that could sideline the superstar halfback for up to six months.
The Panthers' halves stocks have had further hits, with Talagi currently dealing with an Achilles injury while Cole is set to join the Perth Bears next season.
That leaves significant uncertainty over who will take the six and seven role to start the season and who will partner Cleary when he returns.
Brooks has been linked with a Manly departure in recent weeks.
Zero Tackle understood the Sea Eagles were at one stage looking to bring Tom Starling to the club, but would have needed to clear Brooks - or a player on a similar wage to Brooks - from their salary cap to make the deal happen.
Starling is now set to join the English Super League according to reports from the other side of the world, but Brooks is still free to leave Manly and could yet find his way to the foot of the mountains.
