Panthers coach Ivan Cleary believes the club faces a tough task to retain young gun Taylan May after a strong start in 2024 has attracted the attention of rival clubs. May’s future beyond this season is unclear, with the 22-year-old the highest-profile Panther off contract at the end of the season.
May missed the entire 2023 NRL campaign following a brutal ACL injury in the Panthers World Club Challenge loss to St Helens but has impressed in the opening two rounds of the new season.
Penrith are keen to hold onto the Samoan international and they have opened talks with the youngster over a new deal. But it is clear that May will have a similar decision to make as that of departing star Jarome Luai- money or success.
The salary cap squeeze at the Panthers saw Luai sign a deal from 2025 with the Wests Tigers, with the five-eighth penning a deal worth more than $1million a season.
The likes of Spencer Leniu (Roosters), Stephen Crichton (Bulldogs), Jack Cogger (Knights) and Zac Hosking (Raiders) all left following Penrith’s 2023 premiership triumph and as the Panthers attempt to secure an unprecedented fourth premiership in a row, they fear this may be their last year with the boom centre.
The cap situation at the Panthers is already stretched by the number of stars on big-money deals, including Nathan Cleary (approximately $1.3 million per year), James Fisher-Harris ($950,000), Edwards ($850,000), Isaah Yeo ($850,000) and Liam Martin ($750,000).
Money is not so tight for some other NRL clubs, with the Roosters emerging as frontrunners for his signature as the Tricolours have space in their cap in 2025. with centres Joey Manu, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves set to leave at year’s end.
