Penrith are in the box seat to sign Blaize Talagi after the Parramatta young gun told Eels management he would reject an offer to stay at the club for 2025.
Talagi handed Jason Ryles his first major setback on Wednesday, informing the club he would not stick around for the incoming coach’s first year in charge.
Instead, AAP has been told that arch-rivals Penrith will benefit from the 19-year-old’s decision, with a deal imminent between the Panthers and the talented back.
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Talagi’s expected arrival shapes as a massive boost for Penrith, who sacked centre Taylan May midway through this year.
The club is also preparing to lose winger Sunia Turuva and five-eighth Jarome Luai, who have signed for Wests Tigers in 2025.
Effectively, it means Talagi will take up a similar place in Penrith’s salary cap to May, while also acting as an option to play centre or five-eighth in the future.
The news comes as a massive hit to the Eels, who made a big effort to retain Talagi.
After making his debut at Parramatta in March, the Cabramatta junior decided against taking up an option to stay at the Eels for next season.
He was then a top priority when Ryles left his role as Melbourne’s assistant coach a fortnight ago to begin planning for life at Parramatta.
Included in the pitches to Talagi and his agent Isaac Moses were suggestions he could play fullback at the club in the future, along with a lucrative and lengthy deal.
But he is set to move to Parramatta’s fierce rivals, in a season in which the Eels have also lost talented young half Ethan Sanders.
Ryles must now begin planning for life without Talagi, with only three players locked into contracts for 2026 and beyond and the club sat 16th on the ladder.
“The club made a very strong offer to Blaize, provided a clear path for his football future and consistently made it clear to Blaize and his family that we wanted him to be part of the club long-term.” Parramatta CEO Jim Sarantinos said. “While we are disappointed, particularly given the opportunities provided to Blaize during his time at the club, we wish him all the best.”
Talagi had also been linked to St George Illawarra and Newcastle in recent months, but Penrith come with the obvious appeal of being three-time premiers.
His signing will mark only the second in-demand player Penrith have bought from elsewhere during their title dynasty, after Isaiah Papali’i was brought in from Wests Tigers for next year following the release of James Fisher-Harris for 2025.
The news of Talagi’s incoming arrival came on the same day Penrith officials were due to meet with winger Brian To’o over his future at the club.
To’o is contracted until 2027 and Penrith have indicated they are not interested in releasing the NSW State of Origin winger.
It’s also understood the Panthers would not view Talagi as a replacement for To’o.