NZ Warriors have reportedly swooped in on Melbourne Storm star Jahrome Hughes with a lucrative multi-year offer.
According to Australia's Daily Telegraph, they've tabled a three-year offer to the Kiwis utility - who comes off contract at the end of next season - worth just over $2 million.
The Auckland-based club has plenty of spare cap room for 2022 and beyond, after captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's decision to forego the final year of his contract to chase his All Blacks dream.
The converted No.7 played his first full season in the halves last year and was instrumental in the Storm's run to their fourth NRL Premiership.
While the 26-year-old is traditionally a fullback, he apparently isn't seen by new Warriors coach Nathan Brown as a straight replacement for Tuivasa-Sheck in the custodian role.
Brown believes Hughes is most effective at halfback, which leaves a question mark over the futures over current halves Kodi Nikorima - who has a contract option for 2022 - and Chanel Harris-Tavita.
But Brown wasn't biting, when quizzed about the possible signing by media.
"To be honest, I'm leaving all that with Sully [recruitment manager Peter O'Sullivan]," he says . "He's the recruiter and I'm here to coach - I don't want to get caught too much into talking about maybes.
"We're working with some blokes at the moment who are putting good effort into their game and I feel we've got some halves who are all at different times in their career. Kodi is in more of a sweet sport in his career and Chanel is just starting out.
"Obviously, from a fullback point of view, we've got Roger this year and that's where my main focus is at the moment."
Several clubs are understood to be jostling for Hughes' signature, including Cronulla Sharks and Gold Coast Titans, but the Warriors are believed to be the current frontrunners in the race.
The Storm have extended their offer from two to three years, but can't compete with the huge sum on offer from the NZ club.
Hughes hasn't lived in New Zealand since he was a teenager, when he moved to the Gold Coast.
He's expected to announce his decision in the coming days.
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