A possible fourth option has emerged for off-contract Sydney Roosters playmaker James Maloney, his manager declared a day after Daly Cherry-Evans backflipped on NRL club Gold Coast.
Maloney’s manager Wayne Beavis was keeping his cards close to his chest on Thursday with speculation his client could be a target for the Titans.
But talks with Neil Henry’s side and the Maloney camp haven’t commenced at this stage.
“No, I haven’t spoken to them (Titans),” Beavis told AAP.
“I’ve got three options ongoing and possibly a fourth.
“That’s all I can tell you.”
Among the options for Maloney is remaining at the Roosters, who he helped steer to a premiership in 2013.
“Negotiations are continuing with the Roosters,” Beavis said.
Maloney, 28, is getting back to his best form with the livewire ball-playing goalkicker looking a perfect fit for the Titans.
The veteran would prove a great foil for 21-year-old Titans halfback Kane Elgey but there has been speculation Maloney is out of Gold Coast’s price range.
That’s hard to believe given Cherry-Evans’ deal was worth $1.3 million a year over four seasons.
The Titans have ruled out launching a counter offer to Canberra-bound playmaker Aidan Sezer and coach Henry is believed to favour either Canterbury halfback Trent Hodkinson and Parramatta’s enigmatic No.7 Chris Sandow.
Former Gold Coast playmaker Scott Prince believes the Roosters’ No.6 is the man for the Titans.
“Out of the halves off-contract, James Maloney is definitely one of the guys you’d be chasing,” Prince told NRL.com.
“He’ll have a crack for you, good kicking game, goalkicker, which is something that they’ll need and he’s played close to 150 games.
“I remember Tim Sheens used to say you’re not a first-grader until you’ve played 100 games and he’s won a premiership, been in the big league and played Origin, so if he’s cheaper than (Hodkinson) I’d buy him.
“They just need someone there to look to who can settle the ship a bit. He’s experienced but he’s still got youth on his side as well, he’s not old. You could squeeze a good five or so years out of him.”
Meanwhile, Super League could be among the options for Maloney after clubs voted to introduce a marquee player rule for 2016.
The proposal, initially put forward by Salford chairman Marwan Koukash, had been rejected three times in the past two years.
The rule will allow wealthier clubs to sign a big-name player whose annual salary will be at least partially exempt from the current STG1.85 million ($A3.65 million) cap.
