Signings watch: Why 'future captain' will stay with the Bulldogs

Reni Maitua remains confident that the Bulldogs will reach an agreement with __Jacob Preston __despite receiving a low-ball offer to extend.

The 24-year-old second rower is currently in contract negotiations with the club, as his deal at Belmore concludes at the end of next season.

With the possibility of testing the open market on November 1, Dogs officials have reportedly offered a three-year deal worth $1.9 million.

At this stage, the two parties are yet to reach an agreement, with Preston wanting a figure in the vicinity of $800,000 per season.

As a result, rival clubs have begun to circle.

But despite the rumours circling, the 2004 Premiership winner with the Bulldogs believes Preston will remain a Dog and could go on to be a future captain of the blue and white.

“Yeah, he's a great back rower, a great kid (and a) future captain of that club,” Maitua told SEN’s The Run Home with Joel and Fletch.

“I said on another platform that I found it (the initial offer) very disrespectful.

“However, the more I think about it, it's clear to me that his management team has leaked this negotiation.

“Obviously he's trying to push and get as much money out of the club as possible, which a manager does. So, my initial reaction and the fans are, like, what are we doing?

“It's early stages. Presto wants to stay at the club, and I'm very confident that we'll keep him.”

When asked a follow-up about what Preston should be paid, Maitua believes the second rower should be offered something similar to what teammate Leo Thompson received last year to join the club from the Knights.

“Look, no disrespect, but Leo Thompson's on $800,000,” he continued.

“I would have Presto around the $750,000 mark to $800,000 with ratchets, obviously, and it's just the start of negotiations.

“That price that came out, everyone jumped on the back of it and said that's the Dogs being disrespectful.

“But it's just the first start of the negotiation, and they'll come to an agreement.

“Presto loves the Dogs. He'll be a future captain of that club, so I'm confident he'll stay.”

The Bulldogs are hopeful of keeping their slim finals chances alive when they meet the Dragons on Saturday at Allianz Stadium.

Kick-off takes place 7:35pm AEST.