Penrith’s battle to retain Nathan Cleary is heating up with reports emerging that PNG are weighing up a record-setting offer to the superstar half.

The Chiefs can’t approach Cleary until November 1 but the NRL’s 19th franchise will be armed and ready if the Panthers half reaches that date without a new deal from his current club.

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According to CODE Sports, the Chiefs will consider an offer worth $6 million over four years at a whopping $1.5 million a season.

It would be the richest deal (per season) in NRL history.

What’s more, that figure will be tax-free. There will also be tax-free third party deals that will be thrown at Cleary.

Financially, the Panthers simply won’t be able to match that sort of offer.

Cleary would earn at least $2.5 million more than he would at Penrith over the course of the proposed four-year deal thanks to tax breaks.

The Panthers are also fighting to keep several other stars including Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo, although it’s being tipped that a Yeo extension will be announced shortly.

If Cleary does decide to head to Port Moresby to continue his career, he’ll reunite with former teammate Jarome Luai. Current Panthers teammate Brian To’o has also signed with PNG.

Cleary is one of several halves on the Chiefs’ radar with that list including Sam Walker and Zane Harrison.

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While this development will no doubt strike fear into every Penrith fan, ex-Panthers CEO Brian Fletcher believes Cleary will remain a one club man.

“I feel confident Nathan will be a one-team player for the rest of his life. That’s my gut feel,” Fletcher told foxsports.com.au.

“Why would you go anywhere else when you can play with a team like that and be successful?

“There is that much young talent still there and it’s coming through. You’re guaranteed success, probably for the rest of your career.”