- Melbourne Storm are negotiating the star’s future
- He could be set to take a pay cut if he stays
It is set to be a busy couple of weeks for Melbourne Storm superstar Ryan Papenhuyzen, with the fullback reportedly set to send out feelers in the open market, according to reports.
His contract with this year’s Grand Finalists will expire at the end of 2025, with the fullback, who joined Storm in 2017 on a youth deal before debuting in 2019, set to be offered a pay cut.
He is one of the NRL‘s top-earning players, netting a salary of around $950,000.
The Sydney Morning Herald claims that Papenhuyzen is due to net around $1.1million next year with endorsements thrown into his deal.
But it seems Storm are looking to cut down their wage bill and will look to re-sign their star man for around $750,000.
It is believed he could pocket around a further $200,000 in additional endorsements on top of his salary.
But the outlet claims Papenhuyzen will look to ‘test his worth in the open market’ which will open on November 1.
He has been in discussions over his contract with the club for some time now, but a move away could appeal to the 26-year-old.
Papenhuyzen hails from Sydney and has scored 62 tries in 92 appearances for the Storm.
It comes after Parramatta have told fullback Clint Gutherson that he is free to speak with other clubs about his future.
Gutherson will stay at the Eels for next season, but the 30-year-old could make a switch to join the Dragons in 2026.
That could pave the way for Papenhuyzen to join the Eels.
He is one of the most marketable players in the NRL with the 26-year-old enjoying an excellent season, returning 13 tries in 20 games.
It comes after he missed almost the entire 2023 season after shattering his kneecap.
Ryan Papenhuyzen could be set to speak to other clubs in the NRL’s open market
Papenhuyzen is due to make around $1.1million next year from his salary and endorsements
But he could be facing a pay cut from Melbourne, who could offer him a revised salary of around $750,000
The premiership winner has struggled for fitness in recent years, having also sustained a concussion in 2021 and several hamstring injuries.
It is set to be a busy period for Storm, with several other players running out of contract.
Bronson Garlick, Christian Welch, Grant Anderson, Jonah Pezet and Josh King are all free to enter talks with new clubs.
Meanwhile, rumours have also emerged that fellow Storm fullback Sua Fa’alogo could be set to leave Storm.
Michael Chammas told Triple M that should Papenhuyzen re-sign, Fa’alogo could be allowed to leave the club.
‘Matt Tripp, the Storm chairman, has a verbal undertaking with Sua Fa’alogo’s manager Liam Ayoub that if Ryan Papenhuyzen wants to extend his time, they will sit back down and look at his contract,’ Chammas said.
‘Now, that is not a clause in his contract; it’s not in writing, so it will come down to whether Melbourne keep their word, but there are clubs circling Sua Fa’alogo.’
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