The NZ Warriors are leading the race to sign young Cronulla Sharks prop Toby Rudolf.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports the 24-year-old is leaning towards signing a three-year deal with the Warriors, instead of re-signing with the Sharks, who are keen to retain his services.
Rudolf made his NRL debut for the Sharks in the opening round of the season against the South Sydney Rabbitohs and played the following week against the Melbourne Storm, before the season was halted by the coronavirus pandemic.
On Monday, the NRL announced that contracts can be registered once more after a six-week hiatus on new deals while the competition was postponed.
The report adds that the Warriors' offer to Rudolf is a " significant upgrade" to his current earnings, although any new contract must feature a clause regarding the potential lowering of the game's salary cap.
Rudolf missed the majority of the 2019 rugby league season after tearing his ACL during the state championship final the previous year, while playing for Queensland Cup side Redcliffe Dolphins.
In March, the Warriors announced the signing of Tongan international Ben Murdoch-Masila on a three-year deal, starting in 2021.
The Warriors currently have 12 players who will be off-contract at the end of the 2020 season, which resumes on May 28.
