Sydney Roosters star Terrell May has denied his surprise release by the NRL club has anything to do with his conduct off the field.

The Roosters dropped a bombshell when they announced the Test prop had permission to leave immediately, just six months after re-signing him on a two-year deal.

The news came just one day before the Samoa international was set to officially start his new contract.

It is understood to have come as a surprise to those close to May, given the prop was one of the most in-demand forwards in the NRL as recently as April.

It led to speculation that perhaps there was something more to the decision than what fans could see on the field, but May posted on his Instagram stories that the move had "nothing to do with off-field stuff".

One of the Roosters' many representative forwards this year, the 25-year-old had been pursued by rival clubs including Canterbury earlier this year.

St George Illawarra was also considered an option at the time, particularly if they could lure since-sacked Taylan May to the club from Penrith in a combo deal for the brothers.

But the front-rower ultimately signed a two-year deal with the Roosters, while being viewed as part of the club's long-term replacement for retiring Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

By Thursday, those plans were essentially ripped apart, with May told he could gauge interest at other clubs while in Samoan camp in England.

The move came as the NRL's transfer market kicked into full gear on Friday morning.

The Roosters could be in the market for released Dragons halfback Ben Hunt, as they will be without Sam Walker for the start of next season while he recovers from a ruptured ACL.

Fellow half Luke Keary has also left for the Super League and hooker Brandon Smith will also be sidelined by an ACL tear, with the Roosters at this stage set to start the season with Sandon Smith and Chad Townsend in the halves and utility Connor Watson at dummy half.

Hunt is not expected to make a decision on his future until after the Pacific Championships wraps up on November 10, with the halfback not meeting with clubs while in camp with the Kangaroos.

Several Queensland clubs are also expected to be interested.

AAP/ABC