Cleary open to testing the market in contract bombshell

Nathan Cleary has refused to rule out testing the open market as Penrith’s star halfback is free to negotiate with rivals on November 1.

Cleary is contracted until the end of 2027, meaning as of November 1, the four-time premiership winner is able to negotiate with rivals, should he not re-sign beforehand.

The 28-year-old has never previously tested the market, re-signing with Penrith on long-term contracts twice before.

But with the Papua New Guinea franchise able to sign players for their inaugural season from November 1, and the Perth Bears preparing for their inaugural 2027 season, Cleary could turn the player market upside down if he enters the player market.

“It’s a process that’s pretty foreign to me, I’ve never done it,” he said.

“That’s a discussion to be had in the coming weeks or months or whatever. I don’t know.

“(I’ve said) I wasn’t going to close off any avenues, like I was quite open to everything ... I just didn’t want to really lock myself in too early.

“But I’ve always said as well that a week is such a long time in rugby league let alone a few months, so you just don’t know what’s going to happen.”

However, in a sigh of relief for Panthers’ fans, Cleary revealed it would be tough to ever leave Penrith, the club where he’s played 197 games since debuting in 2016.

“It’s pretty hard to imagine right now, yeah,” Cleary said.

“I haven’t really thought about it too much but trying to imagine being somewhere else, it’s tough to think of in my mind.”

A move to England could also be a possibility for Cleary with girlfriend Mary Fowler playing for Manchester City in England.

Speaking on SEN earlier in the week, Panthers CEO Matt Cameron confirmed the club had begun preliminary talks with Nathan Cleary to see him remain at Penrith long-term, and had also started discussions with Ivan Cleary, who also comes off contract in 2027.

Cameron was of the belief both men would remain at the club long-term.

“We've had preliminary conversations with both Nathan and Ivan and their respective managers, and at this point in time, they're contracted until the end of 2027,” Cameron told SEN 1170 Breakfast.

“We're really in no rush to get anything done, but we're confident we'll have both of them at the club as long as they want to be here.”

The Panthers take on the Eels on Saturday.