The Tigers want to seal a deal before then, and have presented an offer to keep Utoikamanu at the club for the same length of time as incoming marquee man Jarome Luai.
Several rival clubs, who are monitoring the situation closely, are aware of the Tigers’ attempts to retain Utoikamanu.
Stefano Utoikamanu made his one and only Origin appearance last year.Credit: Getty
Their offer, which averages out about $800,000 per year, is less than the $900,000 figure previous chief executive Justin Pascoe indicated the club would be willing to spend to retain the young front-rower.
His successor Richardson is trying to overhaul the Tigers roster and wants Utoikamanu to join Luai as the centrepieces of the club’s rebuild under Benji Marshall.
The Tigers have already allowed Isaiah Papali’i to be released from the final year of his deal to take up an offer at Penrith from next season. Richardson has also been busy trying to offload players like Jayden Sullivan and Brent Naden in England over the past fortnight.
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The Tigers on Monday parted ways with hooker Jake Simpkin, releasing the 22-year-old to join Manly ahead of the Sea Eagles’ clash with Penrith on Sunday.
Simpkin’s deal was worth about $400,000 this season, but he has been released from the last six months of his contract for a deal at Manly through to the end of 2026.
Simpkin was brought to the Tigers from Queensland under the Maguire regime but has fallen out of favour.
The talented dummy half will provide cover for Lachlan Croker (head/neck injury) at the Sea Eagles. Croker hasn’t played since round nine against the Canberra Raiders.
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