The signs are good that Dane Gagai will stay at NRL battlers Newcastle but Knights coach Nathan Brown could not rule out a rival swooping on their star centre, saying "any weight of money can get anyone".
Off-contract Gagai is yet to decide whether to trigger a clause for a further season at Newcastle. Cronulla and St George Illawarra are reportedly circling the Queensland State of Origin flyer as Brown sweats on Gagai's verdict.
Brown said Gagai had indicated he wanted to stay but admitted "anything is possible" in the current NRL player market.
"I am not going to sit here and guarantee he will do one thing or another," Brown said "But he likes Newcastle. He understands what Newcastle is all about.
"He is very happy here. His family is happy here but any weight of money can get anyone."
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The Dragons are reportedly interested with a question mark over Josh Dugan's future and defending champions Cronulla are believed to have targeted Gagai after losing NSW star Jack Bird to Brisbane from 2018.
Brown was not surprised Gagai was in demand but hoped the speedster would stay and help rebuild Newcastle.
"I know Gagai is keen on the idea of staying," he said.
"We need to make sure we get the next five and six years in recruitment right.
"And Gags is someone who we would love to be a part of that."
Newcastle will look to snap a six-game NRL losing streak on the Gold Coast on Saturday.
