Gold Coast are confident NSW State of Origin hooker Nathan Peats will accept a new NRL contract at the Titans in coming weeks.
Last month, the Titans tabled a three-year deal totalling $1.5 million, but a new contract isn't at the top of Peats' priorities.
"Talks have slowed down with respect to his Origin commitments. We're hopeful to get something done, if not by the second Origin game, certainly around the third game - hopefully, he agrees he'll stay," Gold Coast coach Neil Henry said.
"I'm as confident as I can be, it's a three year offer and he likes his time on the coast - it's a competitive offer."
Peats joined the Titans after Parramatta exceeded the salary cap and had to offload the hooker to Gold Coast midway through the 2016 season.
The move has paid dividends, Peats bouncing back from a shoulder injury at the start of 2017 to average more than 40 tackles per game and earn an Origin debut.
His defensive efforts and hard edge were on full show during Origin I and Gold Coast captain Ryan James is eager for Peats to keep producing that in the NRL.
"I'm trying to get the inside scoop and see what he's up to but he doesn't give away too much. Hopefully, it gets done sooner rather than later - his price is going up!" James said.
"You (reporters) probably know he doesn't like talking too much. It's always good to see where he's at but I think he was more worried about his Origin commitments and I think it's gone a bit on the backburner."
If the Titans can keep Peats, it will be a major coup as he joins a long list of impressive signatures on the Gold Coast.
Over the past nine months, the Titans have signed James and Kevin Proctor until 2020, Queensland Origin debutant Jarrod Wallace and Konrad Hurrell until 2019 and Ash Taylor and Jarryd Hayne until the end of the 2018 season.
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