He was effectively sacked and reportedly turned down a recent approach to return to Newcastle – but Knights CEO Phil Gardner has declared the Hunter club are still in the race for Jesse Ramien’s signature.
The former Cronulla centre joined the Knights on a two-year deal this season but was axed in late July after just 17 games for his new club.
His exit followed weeks of speculation he had fallen out with coach Nathan Brown, who himself left the club on Tuesday.
Ramien has been linked with Melbourne, Canterbury, North Queensland, Sydney Roosters and the Sharks since his shock departure form Newcastle.
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He was also approached by the Knights about a possible return following Brown’s initial decision to part company with the club at season’s end.
The 22-year-old turned down Newcastle’s advances but Gardner, who has come under fire for his handling of Brown’s messy departure, told The Sydney Morning Herald’s Adrian Proszenko the Knights are still interested in Ramien’s return.
“If Jesse wants to talk to us, we’d certainly be happy to discuss an upgrade and extension,” Gardner told Fairfax Media.
“Certainly we were very disappointed Jesse went … he was unhappy with where his contract sat and it was certainly my intention to renegotiate that with an upgrade and extension with us.”
It is unclear whether the Knights’ reported four-year offer would sway Ramien’s decision on his future.
The in-demand centre has reportedly turned down the Bulldogs and Cowboys, while it is understood the Storm and Roosters have withdrawn from the race.
Cronulla remains the favourite to secure Ramien’s signature, while there are suggestions St George Illawarra could make a late play for the young gun.
