Stefano Utoikamanu is inching closer to a decision on his playing future after he informed the Wests Tigers that he would depart from the club at the end of the season.
Utoikamanu's future has been a major topic of conversation around Concord all season with the young forward initially granted permission to hit the open market and test his value, before he told the Tigers he would move on in late July.
"Wests Tigers prop Stefano Utoikamanu has decided to leave the club at the end of the 2024 NRL season," the club noted in a brief press release.
"The Tigers wish Stefano and his family the very best with their future endeavours."
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Stefano Utoikamanu contract, explained
Utoikamanu's contract runs until the end of 2025 but has a number of clauses inserted in it which makes the final year a mutual option deal.
The contract would have been automatically triggered if Utoikamanu played two State of Origin games for New South Wales this season.
However, he was completely overlooked by new Blues and former Tigers coach Michael Maguire for the series.
The second clause is centered on the Tigers making the finals in 2024.
Benji Marshall's side have lost 15 of their 19 games so far though which leaves them sitting in last place on the ladder.
"Utoikamanu has been given permission to test the market, but the club remains hopeful of retaining their star prop long term," the Tigers noted in an earlier media release.
"There has been much speculation about the future of the 24-year-old, who is off contract at Wests Tigers at the end of the 2025 season."
Stefano Utoikamanu contract updates, latest news
The Tigers had been desperate to keep hold of the damaging forward, who has been a shining light for them after joining from Parramatta at the end of 2020.
Utoikamanu made his Origin debut for the Blues last year and has clocked 73 first grade games so far in his burgeoning career.
A number of NRL rivals have been trying to persuade the prop to make a move, despite a five-year deal worth around $4 million having already been tabled to him by the Tigers.
"I love the Tigers, but it’s hard when we are struggling," the 24-year-old Samoan international said just a week before being given permission to explore his options.
"I love these boys here. I just want to get as many wins as we can before the season ends.
"I think if you’re in the NRL, you want to win a premiership. It has been a bit hard being here.
"I came here for an opportunity - they gave me that and I’m grateful for that. But it’s been a tough couple of seasons."
Canberra and St George Illawarra were believed to be the early frontrunners for his signature, while Penrith were linked to him earlier in the season after James Fisher-Harris announced his shock departure to the New Zealand Warriors.
Although the Raiders and Dragons have since seemingly dropped out, while the Panthers signed Isaiah Papali'i on a long-term deal.
The Melbourne Storm are now reported to be the leading contenders for Utoikamanu after the forward and his management met the club on multiple occasions in the past few weeks.
"The mail I’ve got is that the Melbourne Storm are incredibly confident that they will get him," Dean Ritchie told NRL 360.
"He’s told the Storm he wants to play under Craig Bellamy. I’m sure though he’s telling every club that he’s negotiating with that he wants to go there. It’s a bit misleading.
"I think there is one guarantee is that he will not be at Concord next year and if I was a betting man, I’d throw him in the Melbourne system from 2025."
However, the Storm will face competition from Canterbury after they also emerged as a potential suitor.
"I think we’re in a really good position as a club where we’ve got a lot of good kids coming through and we’ve also got space for potential guys to come in if they’re the right person and right fit for our club, Cameron Ciraldo said.
"Stefano is a really good player. He’s got a lot of potential and we’re monitoring that situation. If he’d like to come here, then we’d welcome him with open arms.
"If we do add a guy like Stefano then that’s great, but if not, I’m really happy with who we’ve got here."
