The future of Blaize Talagi has been thrown into fresh doubt with rivals expected to circle the young star amid a selection squeeze and salary cap pressure at the Panthers.

Although he remains contracted until the end of next season and made a crucial defensive play to help seal the qualifying final win over the Roosters, CODE Sports reporter Michael Carayannis believes he may have already played his final match with the club.

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It comes as Paul Alamoti and Jack Cogger prepare to return to the field for next week’s preliminary final with Carayannis suggesting Penrith may not stand in Talagi’s way if a rival comes calling for his services.

“He may not play again for them potentially,” he said on NRL 360.

“You look at this situation, he played centre on the weekend for Luke Garner. (Paul) Alamoti is back and Jack Cogger is back from suspension so Cogger will go to six.

“He’s off-contract at the end of next year so clubs will be circling and if rival clubs comes knocking next year I don’t think Penrith stand in his way.”

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Currently on the outer at the Panthers, Talagi’s potential departure would also allow the club to free up some much-needed space in the salary cap as they look to retain the core of their star-studded roster such as Nathan Cleary, Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo.

“The other factor is this is Penrith’s salary cap situation,” CODE Sports reporter Brent Read said.

“They’re trying to keep a lot of guys and you can free up money next year if Blaize goes.

“It helps you keep the rest of that roster. It’s a big decision to make in the off-season.”

If Talagi does become available, one team already looms as the obvious destination.

The Parramatta Eels.

Although they have signed Jarome Luai for next season on a one-year deal, Read believes the side could offer him a pathways back into the halves and it will also allow him to play alongside his brother, Ryda Talagi.

“I think there are some obvious clubs that look at him,” he added.

“I know Parra signed Jarome Luai next year, but you can stick him in the centres for a year, then play him at six the year after that.

“They’re an obvious club for me because Parra’s his junior club and his brother’s there. That’s one that sticks out.”

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The uncertainty of Talagi’s future at the foot of the mountains comes after head coach Ivan Cleary revealed the club is still searching for a long-term No.6.

It comes despite the former Eels standout being brought into the club as the heir apparent to Jarome Luai’s in the halves with him being viewed as Nathan Cleary’s long-term partner.

“Since Jarome left a couple of years ago, we’re still trying to find a permanent replacement,” Cleary said on SEN Radio.

“Blaize’s best two games have been at centre lately. One thing about Blaize is he’s not afraid of the big occasion, and I think he’s awesome. He did what we wanted him to do.”