Nathan Cleary is reportedly set to head to free agency to test his value with one rival club emerging as the leading contender to sign the superstar halfback.
Cleary is under contract until 2027 with the Panthers understood to be confident of locking the No.7 down on an extension.
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However, Code Sports’ Dean Ritchie said all indications are Cleary will begin negotiating with rival clubs from November 1.
“I keep hearing from very good sources and I’ll repeat myself, I’m told he is going to go to November 1,” Ritchie said on NRL 360 on Monday.
“I know Ready (Brent Read) has some different mail and I respect that but my mail is pretty strong.”
Ritchie said the New Zealand Warriors were firming as the biggest threat to the Panthers.
“I don’t know where he is going to end up but I keep hearing that a viable option is the Warriors. It never left the frame,” Ritchie said.
Nathan Cleary to the Warriors?Source: Getty Images
Cleary’s father Ivan played 53 games at the club before kicking off his NRL head coaching career there, leading the Warriors in 154 games between 2006-2011.
Nathan’s brother Jett is currently the club’s reserve grade half but is set to return to Sydney and join the Panthers next season.
NRL360 host Braith Anasta noted Jett’s departure could open the door for Nathan to head across the Tasman.
Cleary previously indicated his reluctance to entertain a move to the Warriors if it meant blocking the path of his younger brother.
“He said he wouldn’t go to the Warriors because he didn’t want to take his brother’s spot in the halves but is brother is now coming here,” Anasta said.
The PNG Chiefs, meanwhile, have made their intentions to target Cleary clear, but Ritchie declared the expansion club out of the race.
NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 21: Ivan Cleary talks with his son Jett Cleary of the Warriors during the round three NRL match between Newcastle Knights and New Zealand Warriors at McDonald Jones Stadium, on March 21, 2026, in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“He 100% does not want to go to PNG. You could put a red pen through it,” he said.
It comes despite Matty Johns’ revealing the Chiefs are confident they will land a superstar playmaker.
Speaking on SEN radio, Johns revealed his sources are confident that PNG will land one of Cleary or Rooster halfback Sam Walker.
Walker put contract talks with the Roosters on hold until the end of the season.
“I think with Sam it’s either gonna be the Roosters or it’s gonna be PNG. The money (at PNG) is crazy,” Johns said.
“Apparently, they’re very confident. My mail is they’re confident that they’ll get either Cleary or Walker. That’s what they’re talking.”