We are barely halfway through the season, but the Gold Coast Suns are reportedly already getting a little nervous over the lack of movement in a new deal for star forward Ben King.

With reports that the contract is there, ready to be signed, that hasn’t happened yet, with several Victorian clubs like Hawthorn reportedly circling King.

King has been a staple in the Suns’ forward line since being drafted, but the lack of movement on getting his deal signed will surely have fans a little nervous as the season rolls on.

In his 12 games this season, King has been the very definition of clutch, kicking 38.10 to once again be among the best key forwards in the competition. Hence, the Suns want to get his contract signed, sealed, and delivered as soon as possible.

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And it is because of the lack of movement that the Suns, according to Fox Footy’s Jon Ralph, who was speaking to the panel of On The Couch , are officially worried.

“Ben King had told the club, his management and family: ‘I am prepared to stay’ on a two-year deal around $2.6 million — he just wasn’t prepared to sign the paperwork,” Ralph said via Fox Sports.

“That deal has lingered, and now that we are through the bye, Gold Coast is officially worried.”

What will King do?

Only he knows the answer to that, but for the Suns to be worried as Ralph said, there must be a groundswell of thought that the club has a genuine belief that he might not sign the contract.

We know that some Victorian clubs will be watching this scenario intently, and if it becomes known that King won’t be signing that big contract, I’d imagine the sweepstakes will heat up rather quickly.

Of course, King could just be taking his time, weighing up everything and then signing the contract, tying him to the Suns for the foreseeable future, but right now, that is certainly on thin ice.

What happens over the coming weeks and months is going to be a fascinating watch, but for the club to be “officially worried,” yeah, that panic button is getting smashed.