{"id":870461,"date":"2026-08-27T17:00:14","date_gmt":"2026-08-27T17:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/870461\/"},"modified":"2026-08-27T17:00:14","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T17:00:14","slug":"shock-nathan-cleary-offer-set-to-make-nrl-history-in-major-blow-to-panthers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/870461\/","title":{"rendered":"Shock Nathan Cleary offer set to make NRL history in major blow to Panthers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nathan Cleary is reportedly set to receive a record-breaking $6 million offer from the PNG Chiefs.<\/p>\n

The Panthers star, 28, is off contract at the end of the 2027 season and is expected to receive a host of offers from various NRL clubs if he does not re-sign with Penrith before November 1.<\/p>\n

The Warriors and Bears have both been linked with a move for the Blues star \u2014 who proved crucial to New South Wales\u2019 triumph in this year\u2019s State of Origin.<\/p>\n

Watch every game of every round of the NRL Premiership LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n

But it is the Chiefs who are understood to be in pole position to land the halfback.<\/p>\n

According to Code Sports<\/a>, they are preparing to table a $1.5m per season, four-year deal for Cleary in what would be the biggest deal in NRL history.<\/p>\n

The offer would make Cleary the highest-paid player in the league, and leave rival clubs in a desperate situation to try and match the financial package.<\/p>\n

Cleary is on $1.3m with the Panthers \u2014 10.8 per cent of the club\u2019s salary cap.<\/p>\n

If the cap is increased to $15m, Penrith would likely be able to match the record offer, but would not be able to make his earnings tax-free as would be the case at the Chiefs.<\/p>\n

The report claims $675,000 of his $1.5m would be taxed if he remained at the Panthers \u2014 where he won four consecutive premierships between 2020 and 2024.<\/p>\n

It would mean a Chiefs contract would see him pocket roughly $2.7m more, along with lucrative third-party deals that could see him earn an extra $4m.<\/p>\n

\"Nathan<\/p>\n

The Chiefs have already made a number of statement signings ahead of their debut season in the NRL in 2028.<\/p>\n

Their squad so far consists of Alex Johnston, Joey Manu, Zac Lomax, Brian To\u2019o, Jarome Luai, Matty Lees, and Connor Watson.<\/p>\n

When asked about his future last month<\/a>, Cleary said: \u201cI still don\u2019t know. I\u2019m still in the process of thinking it over. I\u2019m not sure yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

He went on to add: \u201cI want to put a bit more thought into it. The last few weeks there has been a bit of a comedown from Origin, and I\u2019ve been trying to get back into routine with the boys and get back into consistent training.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat sort of (contract) stuff will work itself out in the background.\u201d<\/p>\n

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