{"id":485378,"date":"2026-02-17T08:42:08","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T08:42:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/485378\/"},"modified":"2026-02-17T08:42:08","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T08:42:08","slug":"transfer-whispers-contracts-free-agency-perth-bears-closing-in-on-siosifa-talakai-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/485378\/","title":{"rendered":"Transfer Whispers, contracts, free agency, Perth Bears closing in on Siosifa Talakai, news"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sharks gun Siosifa Talakai is set to become the latest signing of the Perth Bears in what would rate as the expansion\u2019s club biggest coup to date. <\/p>\n

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In an interview with the SMH, Talakai revealed he has been offered a three-year deal from the Bears from next season \u2013 an offer he is considering heavily. <\/p>\n

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Talakai\u2019s preference is to remain with Cronulla, but admits \u201cit\u2019s going to be hard to get a deal done\u201d with the Sharks. He is one of 14 Sharks players without a contract beyond this season. <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m definitely entertaining the Perth deal,\u201d Talakai told the SMH.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cIf I had the opportunity to stay, I would, but it\u2019s not about me any more. It\u2019s about what\u2019s best for me, my partner and my family.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I\u2019ve had to think about the contract situation, and when going back and forth with my manager and partner, and looking back through the years, it kind of brought me to tears. <\/p>\n

\u201cEven speaking now, I feel like I\u2019m getting emotional. This place (Sharks) gave me everything I\u2019ve got now and gave me a crack when nobody else did.<\/p>\n

\u201cI haven\u2019t had the chance to go over there, but Perth holds a special place in my heart because it\u2019s where I debuted for South Sydney in 2016, and I played my first Origin game with the Blues in 2022.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Mal Meninga and the Bears, being able to nab Talakai\u2019s signature will be a huge boost for the NRL\u2019s 18th team ahead of their inaugural year in 2027.<\/p>\n

He\u2019d so far be the only former Origin player on the roster and given his versatility, he\u2019d either slot straight into the backline or as a starting edge forward.<\/p>\n

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