Mitch Barnett has been offered a $2.6 million deal by the Parramatta Eels, while the New Zealand Warriors have named the players they want in return for the Origin prop.

Barnett will leave the Warriors at the end of this season after being granted a release from his contract on compassionate grounds to return home for family reasons.

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The 31-year-old, who played State of Origin for NSW in 2024 and is returning from an ACL injury, has several clubs hunting his signature for 2027 onwards.

According to Code Sports, the Eels have tabled a three-year deal worth around $900,000 per season for the prop forward, while Manly, Brisbane and the Dragons are also interested in Barnett as a “bidding war” begins.

The Broncos had been seen as the favourite to sign Barnett given his close relationship with Michael Maguire, who coached him to his Origin debut.

Barnett has been offered a two-year deal with the Broncos worth $1.5 million with an option for a third season in 2029.

But the Eels have increased their offer to $900,000 per season, which NRL 360 host Braith Anasta described as a “monster offer”.

“Mitch Barnett is the hottest commodity on the open market,” the Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis told NRL 360 on Wednesday.

“At the moment there’s three clubs with offers in — Brisbane, Manly and Parramatta. The Dragons have spoken to Mitch Barnett and indicated they’re keen, but they haven’t put anything formal to him.

“In the next 72 hours I think we might see a decision for Mitch Barnett. He won’t be at the Warriors next year, leaving for family reasons.

“We’ve seen a lot of movement in the middle stocks with Keaon Koloamatangi, Tino re-signing, Payne Haas leaving the Broncos. Mitch Barnett is arguably in that top tier.”

Anasta was surprised by the salary being tabled to Barnett by the Eels.

“Honestly it’s crazy,” he said.

“Mitch Barnett’s a very good player but you never would have thought that sort of money. It seems like a lot of money.”

Co-host Gorden Tallis said “he’s a $700,000 player”, while journalist Brent Read said the “length of the contract is the issue” for Barnett.

“It’s a lot of money but if you look at the prop market — Keaon went for $1.1, $1.2 (million). Payne Haas is on big money, Tino is on big money,” Carayannis said.

“They’re the top middles in the game. If you’re giving someone like Mitch Barnett $300,000 less…”

It comes as Code reported the Warriors have their eye on Broncos teenager Antonio Verhoeven, an outside back who is yet to make his first grade but is training with Brisbane’s NRL squad.

The 19-year-old was born in New Zealand and was scouted by the Broncos two years ago at a Sevens tournament.

Other players on Warriors’ wish list include Dragons back Tyrell Sloan, who has been inconsistent during time career so far and is off-contract.

Parramatta’s Jordan Samrani is off contract at the end of next season and is seen as a useful utility.

Manly speedster Jason Saab has also been mentioned as a player of interested, but he is contract at the Sea Eagles to the end of 2029.

“It’s tough for the Warriors here because they’ve come out and said he’s going to leave for compassionate family reasons,” Carayannis said of the potential return package for Barnett.

“It’s definitely not a Zac Lomax situation. I think the Warriors have privately conceded they’re not going to get the equivalent on Mitch Barnett. They’re just not.”

Barnett will become the latest player to leave the Warriors on compassionate grounds after Dylan Walker, Addin Fonua-Blake and Reece Walsh departed the club in recent years.