Superstar centre Bradman Best appears to be edging towards leaving Newcastle at the end of next season after the 25-year-old revealed the club has not made a revised offer.
Several news outlets reported that Best had been offered a four-year, $4m deal to remain at the Knights beyond next season.
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However, Best said that is simply not true. “That hasn’t been the case,” Best told Code Sports.
“I don’t know where that offer came from. I don’t know who leaked it, but it’s not the case.
“I never received the deal which has been put out, and I don’t know how that figure has been put out. At the moment, it’s just all talk.”
Best, a Newcastle junior, is understood to prefer to remain at the club long-term, but the Eels are ready to break the bank and make him the richest centre in the game.
It is understood the Knights are willing to offer him around $800,000 a season, while Parramatta are prepared to table an offer of around $1m a season.
Best reportedly has multiple meetings lined up after he leaves Kangaroos camp in the next two weeks, including with Newcastle powerbrokers.
“Obviously, I want to give Newcastle the chance,” Best said.
“I’m loyal to them, I love Justin (Holbrook), the coaches there and the club, so I’d love to sit down with them first and obviously discuss my future.”
Best’s younger brother Baxter has also joined the club and is another factor to consider.
However, the Eels offer simply may be too good to refuse, with ESPN reporting they are in the “box seat” to nab the star centre.
If Best is to leave the Knights, they are understood to be ready to pivot to Jack Bostock, who is also receiving strong interest from the Dragons, after reports emerged that he wants a move to NSW.
Originally published as ‘All talk’: Phantom $4m Bradman Best deal flips script as Eels move firms