The Toronto Wolfpack have reportedly granted Sonny Bill Williams and his fellow overseas players permission to pursue NRL deals.
On Tuesday, the Canadian team confirmed its withdrawal from the UK Super League due to financial pressures caused by COVID-19.
The competition's transfer deadline is August 3, which gives the likes of Williams, Darcy Lussick, Josh McCrone, Ricky Leutele, Chase Stanley and Bodene Thompson time to find a home for the second half of the NRL season, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Last year, Williams signed a two-year, $10 million deal with the club that made him the highest-paid rugby league player in the world.
The Wolfpack plan to return to the competition in 2021 and will pay their players 55 percent of their salaries until the end of the season.
An NRL stint offers Williams an opportunity to supplement that salary while playing regular rugby league.
Toronto chief executive Bob Hunter says Williams is fully fit and is well ware his services will be in high demand.
"I know Sonny is healthy and in good shape and he'll have a lot of appeal,'' Hunter tells Sydney Morning Herald.
"He tweaked his knee, which we paid a lot of attention to, but he's 100 percent."
Williams will spend some time in Europe before returning to New Zealand, Hunter adds.
"We're booking the flights now for all those guys and their families.
"But we've told all the players today, 'guys, if you can get on to another club, then go for it’.
"It won't affect their pay with us because it's already been reduced to 55 percent. But we're encouraging them to do that."
The Sydney Roosters - where Williams won an NRL Premiership in 2014 - immediately come to mind as a contender for the 34-year-old's services.
Williams would make a readymade replacement for Victor Radley, who's out for the season, and Angus Crichton, who's sidelined for the next six weeks with a knee injury.
The embattled NZ Warriors may also come into the equation with the impending exodus of several players after Saturday's match against the Roosters,although it would depend on what sort of money Williams is seeking.
Former Warrior Bodene Thompson could also be a feasible option in the short-term to add some much-needed depth in the forwards.
