Ronaldo Mulitalo is expected to explore his options on the NRL's open market as the Cronulla winger prepares to join a long list of top-calibre names coming off contract.
The 24-year-old recently indicated to the Sharks he wants to gauge his worth as he enters the final year of his contract at the end of 2025.
Mulitalo will be free to talk to clubs come November 1.
There is no indication the New Zealand international has a desire to leave, having been an ever-present for the Sharks since his NRL debut in 2019.
Cronulla have indicated they want to keep Mulitalo, who is a one-club man.
But they also have playmaker Braydon Trindall, edge forward Briton Nikora and captain Cameron McInnes coming off contract.
That could potentially have a bearing on Mulitalo's future with the winger, who has amassed 83 NRL tries in 110 games, likely to attract plenty of interest come November 1.
Mulitalo enters NRL free agency at an intriguing time with plenty of movement expected among top-tier outside backs in the next contractual year.
Brisbane are striving to keep hold of Kotoni Staggs and Selwyn Cobbo, while Josh Addo-Carr's future at Canterbury remains unresolved, with the former NSW State of Origin winger previously linked with a move to St George Illawarra.
Reports in England have also suggested that Parramatta winger Maika Sivo is a target for former Eels coach Brad Arthur, who is now at Leeds.
While aware of the speculation, Parramatta told AAP they have yet to receive an official request from Sivo's management to speak with the Super League side.
The Eels have already offloaded Reagan Campbell-Gillard and have given captain Clint Gutherson the chance to explore his options for 2026.
Gutherson has been linked with a move to the Dragons, who are facing an uncertain future with their own skipper.
Veteran Dragons captain Ben Hunt is all-but certain to find a new club in the coming months after several reports that he will look to relocate his family to Queensland for 2026.
Hunt would likely still have to see out 2025 in Wollongong, unless the Dragons are able to find a suitable replacement in return for letting him leave early.
