Off-contract England international “very very close” to securing three-year NRL transfer

An off-contract England international is “very very very close” to signing a three-year deal in a big money NRL transfer.

That’s according to Australian journalist Brent Read who appeared on the commentary of Newcastle Knights’ loss against fellow strugglers Parramatta Eels.

The Knights have been misfiring in 2025 and have lost seven of their last eight, despite starting the season with back-to-back wins.

One man who has played in eight of the Knights’ ten games is England international Kai Pearce-Paul and it is looking increasingly likely that he will be leaving Newcastle at the end of the year.

Pearce-Paul signed a two-year deal when he made his NRL switch and that means he is off-contract at the end of the year, and despite the Knights’ wish to keep him, it looks like he will be heading elsewhere for 2026.

Kai Pearce-Paul set for big money NRL switch

Speaking on Triple M’s commentary of Saturday’s match, Brent Read said: “He’s got a lot going on at the moment has Kai Pearce-Paul. He’s been locked in negotiations with Wests Tigers for a few weeks now.

“My understanding is that they’re very very very close to a deal. It should be done in the next week or two. Kai Pearce-Paul will be at the Tigers next year but obviously at the moment he’s with the Knights.”

There had been talk of a mid-season switch but Read ruled that out, stating: “I think Kai will go at the end of the season, that’s my understanding but it could change in the coming weeks.

“I think it’s a three-year deal with Kai Pearce-Paul.”

Wests Tigers have been splashing the cash of late and with confirmation that young star Lachlan Galvin will not extend his deal beyond the end of 2026, more money than expected has been freed. As such, Wests have been able to beat the cash-strapped Knights in a bidding war.

Read revealed: “They (Newcastle) wanted to keep him at a certain price but what the Tigers have offered him is above that price. I think that’s the issue, they want to keep him but the price got too high for them.

“With Dylan Brown coming on a mega deal and Kalyn (Ponga) on big money, money is a bit tight for the Knights for next year and the years after.”