Australian international and Gold Coast Titans captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui has officially confirmed he will test his value on the open market, a move that has placed several NRL clubs on high alert.
Fa'asuamaleaui, currently in England with the Kangaroos ahead of the Ashes Test series, is regarded as one of the best forwards in the game.
The 25-year-old superstar is expected to attract offers in excess of $1.5 million per season once he officially becomes a free agent in November, as reported by CODE Sports, where he elaborated on his decision with telling statements.
"I'm not going to beat around the bush -- yeah, I'll be on the open market," Fa'asuamaleaui said from London. "I really want to stay at the Titans, but I also want to see things improve around the place, and that comes through winning."
"I love the Titans and I want to win there and change the club, but an NRL career is short. As much as my heart is on the Coast, you've got to be smart too and use your brain," Fa'asuamaleaui added.
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Despite being signed with the Titans until 2033 on a record-breaking 10-year contract, Fa'asuamaleaui has a get-out clause that allows him to explore other opportunities at the end of next year -- a clause he now plans to activate.
He made it clear that his preference remains with the Titans but admitted he must think long-term about his career and future success.
The news has already caught the attention of several rival clubs, with both Sydney-based teams and the expansion Perth franchise reportedly preparing to enter the race for his signature.
The Dragons are expected to table a massive offer, while Perth could present an historic $1.5 million-per-year deal -- potentially the richest contract ever for a forward in rugby league history -- to make Fa'asuamaleaui the club's inaugural marquee signing and possibly captain.
Fa'asuamaleaui has also previously been linked to a possible return to the Melbourne Storm, where he won a premiership in 2020. Recent player departures have freed up significant salary cap space for his return, while the Canterbury Bulldogs are also believed to be monitoring his situation.
For the Titans, the prospect of losing their captain and cornerstone forward is a major concern -- one the club will need to move heaven and earth to avoid.
Fa'asuamaleaui has been central to the club's rebuild and remains one of the few marquee players to commit long-term to the Gold Coast in recent years.
The Titans are already set to lose another star forward in David Fifita and have long faced challenges attracting top-tier talent, with the club's last finals appearance coming in 2021.
Over the past four seasons, the struggling Queensland side has finished between 13th and 16th on the NRL ladder and endured multiple high-profile coaching changes, making it a tough sell for off-contract representative players.
As one of the NRL's elite forwards and leaders, Fa'asuamaleaui's decision shapes as one of the biggest storylines of the 2026 player market, with several clubs now preparing to make their pitch for the Queensland Origin star.
The Gold Coast Titans' immediate future may well hinge on their ability to convince their captain to stay, as fans hold their breath hoping Fa'asuamaleaui's time on the glitter strip isn't about to come to an abrupt end.