Stefano Utoikamanu has officially been granted permission to test the NRL open market, with the Wests Tigers remaining confident the prop will sign a long-term extension.
The 24-year-old has emerged as one of the most in-demand players in the competition and with some unique clauses in his current deal, looks set to become a free agent.
Utoikamanu has been linked with a move to multiple clubs and has publicly expressed his desire to land at a winning organisation after a tough stretch at Concord.
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In a statement released on Wednesday afternoon, the Tigers confirmed the front-rower has been formally granted permission to look around – a decision that chief executive Shane Richardson claims the club are “comfortable” with.
“We’ve sat down with Stefano, his partner Chiara, and his management, and we all want what’s best for him and his family,” he said.
“Stefano has given us no indication that he wants to leave, but he does want to have a look around, and we are totally comfortable with that.”
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Utoikamanu has already played 68 top grade games, with the majority coming in the black and gold jump after leaving the Parramatta Eels at the end of 2020.
Tigers officials have already tabled the enforcer a $4 million extension over five years.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, two clubs interested in landing Utoikamanu are the Storm and Raiders, which would require the enforcer to leave Sydney/
The news comes less than a week after young playmaker Lachlan Galvin committed to the Tigers and put to bed rumours around his own long-term future.