NRL clubs circle North Queensland Cowboys star Jeremiah Nanai

“I’m really excited about what he can offer our club and he makes us a better team when he is playing.

“For a kid that age to look as comfortable as he does, it is exciting.”

Payten revealed Nanai’s agent has asked to delay a decision on his future until round six, which is a bad sign for the North Queensland outfit.

“We have had conversations with his management and his management have asked us to hold off until Round 6 and we are just fulfilling their wishes,” Payten said.

“I’m cautiously optimistic about us keeping him.

“I know that this is the right club for him.

“He is a club junior and this is why the Cowboys were put in the competition to give a pathway for our kids in North Queensland to play NRL.

“Fingers crossed we can work something out.”