After announcing he will test the open market come November 1st, Payne Haas is officially the most wanted man in the NRL.
In a report published by The Courier Mail, Haas is being courted by all rival NRL clubs with every team expressing their interest in signing the star forward.
Further reports state that Haas’ management held talks with the Melbourne Storm but these suggestions were firmly shut down by club General Manager Frank Ponissi.
With the Broncos in the midst of a Premiership charge, club legend Corey Parker weighed in on the situation and revealed why he doesn’t like the path that Haas is going down.
“First and foremost, I know Payne well and he does (care about the team) he’s very much about the team,” Parker said on SENQ Breakfast.
“Unfortunately, the optics of when you continue to go down this path of putting yourself on the open market and having a concern about the money you’re getting paid, which is up around $900,000 anyway.
“It just doesn’t look good, and it has the optics of comments coming through about exactly that (not caring about the team).”
Parker remains confident that the Broncos will keep Haas at Red Hill for the foreseeable future but suggested the negotiations be done behind closed doors.
“I personally don’t see Payne (leaving), I think he will stay,” Parker added.
“However, we don’t have to continually read about it or listen to it on radio or through the media outlets.
“If that’s going to be the case then it can be done behind closed doors.”
The Broncos are now set to formally offer Haas a three-year extension worth a million dollars per season, in a deal that would see Haas remain a Bronco until the end of the 2027 season.