Transfer Whispers: Manly linked with surprise switch….

The Tigers are set to make an $800,000 play at Knights star Bradman Best for 2025 and beyond.

Best is coming off a career season in 2023, which including an outstanding Origin debut for the Blues in their Game III win over the Maroons.

According to The Daily Telegraph, the Tigers will offer Best a contract which will make him one of the highest paid centres in the league.

The Knights are reportedly confident they’ll retain Best with a contract worth more than $700,000 a season but if the 22-year-old isn’t re-signed by the November 1 deadline, he’ll likely command slightly more from other clubs.

In addition to Best, the Tigers have also got their eye on Dragons back Moses Suli.

Suli had an up-and-down season for the struggling Dragons in 2023 but would be a decent pick-up for a team like the Tigers.

Suli started his career at the Tigers in 2017, spending a year there before moving onto the Sea Eagles where he spent four seasons.

BRONCOS SET TO RETAIN GRAND FINAL HERO

He almost took the Broncos to their first premiership since 2006 with a standout grand final performance, sparking fears Brisbane could be in for a bidding way to extend Ezra Mam.

But the Dally M Five-eighth of the Year is set to stay put at Red Hill in a huge boost for the Broncos, with The Courier Mail reporting Mam’s management has been offered a new contract.

The report claims Mam, who is currently contracted until the end of next season, is tipped to sign a long-term deal between three and five years.

Mam was on about $250,000 this season but is set to see a big pay rise to reward him for his stunning 2023 campaign, with The Courier Mail reporting the extension could be worth up to $3 million.

That figure comes from the possibility of a four-year deal for Mam, which would start at an estimated $750,000 a season.

Mam told The Courier Mail his “aim” is to “stay” at the Broncos.

“I want to start another generation here,” he said.

“It would definitely be a great opportunity to jump on the bandwagon here with the other boys and make the Broncos great again.

“Seeing Payne re-sign and all the other boys stay here, it’s a huge factor for myself.

“Hopefully we can get that deal done soon. I’ll be here for a long time.”

BUNNIES SET TO MAKE PLAY AT MANLY FORWARD

The South Sydney Rabbitohs are poised to make a play for Manly Sea Eagles forward Sean Keppie as they look to avoid another alarming slump next season.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports Keppie, who is under contract with the Sea Eagles until 2026, is a key target for the Rabbitohs.

The report claims Keppie’s management has commenced discussions with Souths officials about making the switch from Four Pines Oval.

Despite having several years left on his deal with the Sea Eagles, he has been given the green light to talk with other clubs about a potential move.

Should Keppie end up moving to the Rabbitohs, it would be an almighty blow for the Wests Tigers.

Benji Marshall’s side had been heavily linked with a move for the 25-year-old in a mooted swap deal that could have had the Tigers’ Alex Twal heading the other way.

But it now appears the Rabbitohs have nipped to the front of the queue.

South Sydney will be hoping Keppie can help the team avoid a similar second-half slump they suffered in the 2022 season.

Despite leading the league after 11 rounds of action, the Bunnies remarkably missed the top eight after losing nine of their final 12 games.

As for Keppie, he is coming off his best season yet for the Sea Eagles having played 20 games.

The Manly enforcer made 22 tackle breaks and clocked up 747 post contact metres as well as making 475 tackles, the highest figures in his career to date.