The Sydney Roosters have firmed as favourites to land Daly Cherry-Evans after Phil Gould declared he would not try to sign the Manly halfback at Canterbury.
Cherry-Evans officially informed Manly on Thursday he had rejected their last-ditch offer, knocking back their two-year deal worth $1.4 million.
It means this season - his 15th - is set to be his final one at Manly..
Cherry-Evans is leaning towards playing on beyond 2025, with the Sea Eagles' greatest-ever halfback also their most-capped player with 333 games.
“I wanted to confirm I was leaving the club now, rather than making a call later in the season, so that we can get on with our goal of winning a premiership,” Cherry-Evans said in a statement on Thurday.
"I love this club and this group of players.
“I am fully committed to giving my absolute best over the coming months to make this season the best it can possibly be for our team, our club and our fans.”
His statement came hours before Gould told Nine News that the halfback would not be joining the Bulldogs, who had been widely considered a leading contender for his services.
"I really admire DCE as a person. He's an ornament to the game," the Canterbury general manager said.
"But Daly Cherry-Evans will not be coming to the Bulldogs."
Brisbane coach Michael Maguire also said on Thursday he would not go after Cherry-Evans, even if Adam Reynolds retires at year's end.
That will leave the Roosters as the clear front-runners to sign the 36-year-old if he does play on, with the Dolphins the other likely option.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson said his club would have to look into the veteran half as an option.
"We haven't discussed it is the first thing," Robinson said on Thursday.
"It's pretty rare that a player like that comes on the market, especially at this time of the year. We haven't discussed it as yet.
"But as a business you've got to look at it as well.
"I'd say we'll get to that when we know a bit more info, though, about decisions getting made as well."
Cherry-Evans' situation is eerily similar to Cooper Cronk's in 2017.
Back then the Roosters signed Cronk, released Mitchell Pearce and won back-to-back premierships in 2018-19.
The Roosters currently have Chad Townsend on a one-year deal, while Robinson has previously spoken about wanting mentors for young playmakers Sandon Smith and Sam Walker.
"We're pretty clear about the development of them and that doesn't change. We're still heading on that path," Robinson said.
"We know which direction we're headed.
"You do have to be aware of movement (on the market) and understanding all that, but a lot of things have got to happen."
The Roosters also already have James Tedesco and Reece Robson on their books for next year, both part of the same management stable as Cherry-Evans.
Beyond the Bulldogs, South Sydney, Penrith, St George Illawarra and Wests Tigers have also ruled out interest this week.
The other option for Cherry-Evans is a move north and the potential romanticism of finishing his career at the Dolphins, after his father Troy played for Redcliffe in the Brisbane Rugby League.
"I guess there is (a romantic notion)," Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf said.
"There is a lot of things that go into those decisions though. I don't know how much that weighs on his decision.
"The last 48 hours has probably caught everyone by surprise. It certainly caught us by surprise. We just assumed he would finish his career at Manly.
"The fact that's not going to be the case, we will sit back and watch what happens. If there is genuine interest then we would love to have a conversation."
Woolf said the Dolphins had the money available to throw at Cherry-Evans, with rivals expecting the half to draw offers of close to $1 million per season.
"We've got space in the cap, that is not a problem," Woolf said.
