Third party contacts Rabbitohs about David Fifita joining the club

Fifita, 25, comes off contract at the Gold Coast after next season and cannot formally negotiate with rival clubs until November 1.

He has not been given early permission from Gold Coast to talk with rival clubs.

Souths officials are aware of the informal approach but know Fifita remains under contract at the Titans.

The Rabbitohs remain cautious given Fifita has twice previously been linked to the club, only for talks to fall over.

Gold Coast wants Fifita to play out his contract at the club although the rampaging forward has been restricted to just eight games this season through an ankle injury.

The Rabbitohs won’t act on any approach until legally permitted under NRL rules.

Souths would need to determine what Fifita believes he is worth – and more importantly what the club would be prepared to pay - before opting for any post November 1 discussions.

After this year’s on-field struggles, primarily through injuries, Souths have identified a need to beef-up the club’s forwards, but more around their middles rather than edge players like Fifita.

The third-party approach comes as Fifita was spotted chatting with Souths players well after last Sunday’s game at Robina.

Fifita’s return to the NRL remains unknown although it’s highly unlikely he will play again this season.

Titans coach Des Hasler has tried desperately hard to extract the best from Fifita, whose contract is worth more than $1m a year.

Fifita established himself as one of the NRL’s most damaging forwards when fit and focused but his consistency levels have often been questioned.

The fact Brisbane-born Fifita agreed to join the Roosters did demonstrate an acceptance to move to Sydney.

Fifita backflipped on a four-year, $3.3m offer from the Sydney Roosters in May last year to activate a two-year option at Gold Coast.

There is little doubt Fifita would have to accept a significant pay cut to join a rival club.

Fifita and Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett have previously worked together.

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Bennett actually handed Fifita his NRL debut in round 16, 2018.

Souths will have some additional money in the club’s salary cap after Josh Schuster, Fletcher Myles and Shaq Mitchell were told they won’t be retained for 2026.

Rabbitohs chief executive Blake Solly did not wish to comment.

Originally published as Third party contacts Rabbitohs about David Fifita joining the club