Dane Gagai eying a move from Newcastle, Roosters offer two-year deal

Dane Gagai reportedly is open to leaving Newcastle if another club is willing to offer him a longer-term deal than Knights’ current offer. 

Dane Gagai is reportedly considering a move away from Newcastle Knights. The veteran centre has until Thursday night to trigger his one-year contract extension with Knights. Sydney Roosters have offered Gagai a two-year contract, attempting to sway him before the Thursday deadline. 

“Big 48 hours” for Gagai  

Like many players heading into NRL Round 10, Dane Gagai has a big decision to make about his future. The experienced centre has until Thursday evening to decide whether to trigger his one-year contract extension with Newcastle Knights. If he doesn’t trigger this extension, his contract will expire this offseason, making him free to sign with any other NRL club.  
 
Speaking about Gagai’s future, The Daily Telegraph’s Dave Riccio said on NRL 360 this week that “It is a big 48 hours for Dane Gagai. My understanding is he is mulling over a two-year deal from the Sydney Roosters to join them next season. 
 
“[Roosters] see Dane as a really good, experienced centre. Obviously world class on his day as far as rep footy is concerned. They see him dropping into that system and playing a role in developing their next generation backline players coming through.” 
 
According to Riccio, and others, Gagai is looking for a long-term deal from his next club. Whether it is a new deal with Knights or contract with a new club, the 33-year-old is looking for a contract that is at least two years long.  

Sydney Roosters make Gagai offer 

Going off rumours, the Sydney Roosters are going to be one of the most active NRL teams in the 2024/25 offseason. The Roosters have been linked to just about every big name on the market, including Gagai, which makes us wonder how they can afford all these rumoured moves.  
 
Riccio went into this, explaining that Sydney have plenty of room to give Gagai the deal he’s looking for. “We know that the Roosters have got a plethora of outside backs that are leaving at the end of this season,” the Daily Telegraph reporter said. 
 
In addition to having room to sign him and offering a longer contract than Knights, Gagai may prefer Roosters right now because of moves Newcastle have already made. The Knights signed James Schiller from Raiders, who presumably could replace Gagai next season.  

The Queensland legend has scored 79 tries in 276 games across his distinguished career with the Brisbane Broncos, Newcastle Knights, and South Sydney Rabbitohs. If he does not trigger his contract extension this Thursday, the next chapter of Gagai’s career could be with Sydney Roosters.