Stefano Utoikamanu has given the strongest indication yet that only success can keep him at Wests Tigers, admitting it is hard being at the club amid their current struggles.
It comes as the Tigers name Adam Doueihi for his first NRL game since April last year, the injury-plagued utility replacing Justin Olam in the centres for Sunday's game with Canberra.
Utoikamanu has a Tigers contract for next season, but it will only be activated if he plays two matches for NSW by the end of this year, or the club make the finals.
Currently out of the Blues squad and with the Tigers last on the NRL ladder, it means the damaging prop is every chance of being a free agent at year's end.
The Tigers have tried to counteract the situation by offering the 24-year-old a contract extension, valued at nearly $800,000 per season, to keep him at the club.
Speaking on his contract ahead of the Raiders game at Campbelltown Stadium, Utoikamanu admitted he was unsure what he wanted to do for 2025.
But he did concede the Tigers' current struggles are weighing on his mind.
"I love the Tigers, but it's hard when we are struggling," he said.
"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 and they gave me that, I'm grateful for that. But it's been a tough couple of seasons and I just want to focus on winning.
"I don't know (what I want to do). We're in discussions now and anything can happen really."
Last week's gutsy win over Gold Coast at Leichhardt Oval was the club's first since late March, and they are at risk of collecting a third straight wooden spoon.
Since arriving from Parramatta at the start of 2021, Utoikamanu has won just 14 of 65 matches.
The front-rower said he was flattered at the likelihood he would be in the sights of several clubs once officially a free agent, but said it was not front of mind.
"I just brush it off to (my manager), so he gets all the heat," Utoikamanu said.
"When you have social media and stuff, it's a bit hard (to block it out). I try my best to.
"What I've got to focus on is trying to get this team back where we need to be, and this is just a step forward for us."
There does remain some thought that if Utoikamanu is to leave the club at the end of 2024, it would be in the Tigers' interest to let him go early and save cap space.
To do so, Utoikamanu would need to find another club by 5pm on July 1, in line with the NRL's contracting rules.
But while the one-time Origin player said he did not know what he wanted to do in 2025, he was adamant he would see out this year at the Tigers.
"I want to be here for the rest of the year," Utoikamanu said.
"I love these boys here and I just want to get as many wins as we can for the rest of the season."
