Coach's clue on future of star who 'belongs with us'

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary remains confident the Panthers can retain star five-eighth Jarome Luai, delcaring the premiership winner "belongs with us".

The uncertainty surrounding Luai's future has intensified in recent weeks as the premiers embark on a quest to win a record three consecutive NRL titles.

After returning from a dislocated shoulder in the club's preliminary final victory over Melbourne, it's understood Luai has put all contract negotiations on hold until after the decider.

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He's the last big name on the Panthers roster that is not signed beyond next season after Dylan Edwards inked a four-year extension worth around $3.4m that keeps him at the club until the end of 2028.

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That followed the club handing big deals to Nathan Cleary ($1.3m per season), Liam Martin ($750,000), Isaah Yeo ($850,000), and James Fisher-Harris ($950,000).

Penrith can only afford to pay Luai around $750,000 according to The Sydney Morning Herald, but Cleary sent a message to rivals who are tipped to offer the star $1 million a season to leave.

"He belongs with us, we belong with him – it's a good fit," Cleary told the SMH.

"It's like a lot of our boys: if he really wanted to get as much money as he wanted to [elsewhere], he would probably get it.

"But I think we can come up with something that's very good for him. It's a good fit."

Luai, who has spent his entire career at Penrith coming through the grades with Nathan Cleary, has split with his management company SFX, and can officially align with a rival company in the middle of next month.

"It is [on the backburner]. I think it was important to make that call. You don't come by grand finals [often], and you want to limit your distractions," Laui said.

"I'm fully focused on what I need to do for this next week, and making sure my mind is right and my body is right.

"I've had a great year, and a great time with this group. This is what you work towards all year.

"I won't get too caught up in the stars about it and worrying about what ifs. I'll worry about enjoying this moment and getting back to work on Monday."