Penrith forward Viliame Kikau looks likely to depart the club once his contract expires at the end of 2022 as rivals begin to circle.
Kikau, 26, is set to receive multi-million dollar offers from opposition clubs with Penrith’s salary cap squeeze meaning he’ll have to take a pay cut if he wants to stay.
As a result of the Panthers’ cap struggles, The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio believes he’s all but certain to leave and earn his market value elsewhere.
“Viliame Kikau, he’ll be a by-product of Penrith’s success over the last two years,” Riccio said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“What I mean by that is, he’ll be departing the club I’m pretty confident of that.
“I can’t see how Kikau stays, and I think the Penrith Panthers are coming to terms that it will happen.
“Whenever you have a high number of representative players, and players playing in Grand Finals and finals, there are representative bonuses and finals bonuses that impact your salary cap.
“That is what is happening at the Penrith Panthers.”
Riccio believes Kikau’s former club North Queensland will make a big play to bring the second-rower back to Townsville.
“I’m hearing the Cowboys will come very, very hard for Kikau, it’s where he’s originally from,” Riccio explained.
“He was prised out of Townsville and brought to Penrith. I’m hearing they’ll make a significant play for him.
“There’s no coincidence with the teams that made a big play for Dale Finucane in the Cowboys, Titans and Dragons, they’ll all be in for play for Viliame Kikau.”
As he comes of contract at the end of next season, Kikau will be free to negotiate with rival clubs from November 1 this year.