Tigers set to offer Luai mammoth $4.5m deal

Jarome Luai could become one of the NRL's highest earners, with revelations the Wests Tigers are set to offer him a four-year, $4.5 million deal.

The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting a contract will be put to Luai and his management by the end of Thursday as interest in the half ramps up.

Clubs were officially allowed to put contract offers to Luai on November 1 as he entered the last year of his contract with the Panthers.

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After splitting with previous management, Luai officially joined Black Money Enterprises upon entering the market and it's believed the Bulldogs are interested in the three-time premiership winner too.

Reports of the offer comes after Luai held a meeting with Tigers coach Benji Marshall in recent days.

The Panthers are believed to have offered the half a $1.7m deal over two years, however Luai would continue to play second fiddle to Nathan Cleary if he chose to re-sign with the Panthers. Should he choose to take the big money on offer at the Tigers or elsewhere he would take on the mantle of chief playmaker.

Luai previously led Samoa to a World Cup final in a similar role. 

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary had previously said there's a "question mark" over the five-eighth's ability to become the main man.

Panthers up offer to retain Luai

"I think that's the biggest thing at play here," he said when discussing whether Luai could be worth the money for rivals.

"If any club wants to give him the money you're talking – the money that he would maybe consider leaving for – it would have to be for that kind of role. I can understand that. Is he ready for that? That's the question mark, I would think.

"Could he do it? I'm sure he could do it. Has he done it? No he hasn't. He's done a little bit with Samoa, of course, at last year's World Cup, but generally speaking in this team he's had his role to play and it's slightly different. I guess that's a risk that everyone would have to take."

Luai then seemingly replied to the comments with an Instagram story that featured a tagline stating 'know your worth'. 

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