Penrith have emerged as a surprise destination for David Fifita with the Maroons forward just days away from a deadline in his lucrative Titans contract to exercise a get-out clause.
The destructive Maroons forward is contracted at the Gold Coast until the end of 2026 but he can become a free agent if he does not take up the option in his deal for next season by the start of Round 10 on Thursday night.
Fifita flew to Sydney on Sunday, as first reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, to meet coach Ivan Cleary and football chief executive Matt Cameron said the club was keen to bolster their forward stocks following the surprise departure of James Fisher-Harris at season’s end.
“I wouldn’t be doing my job properly unless I investigated every option that was available to the club moving forward,” Cameron said.
“If David’s services are available for the 2025 season, it would be remiss of us not to look at him.”
Fisher-Harris joining the Warriors, after gaining an early release from Penrith, has freed up nearly $1 million in the club’s salary cap and Wests Tigers prop Stefano Utoikamanu has also been identified as a potential target for the three-time premiers.
(Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Jarome Luai and Sunia Turuva are also leaving Penrith after this season, with both taking up lucrative offers from the Wests Tigers.
Fifita is considered one of the best forwards in the NRL when he is at his peak but his time at the Gold Coast since joining the club in 2021 from Brisbane has been punctuated by injuries and form slumps.
He regained his position in the Queensland side last year but his form has again been questioned in 2024 after he missed the opening rounds with a pectoral injury.