Nathan Cleary open to testing market for first time

Nathan Cleary has refused to rule out testing the open market at the end of the year, but admits it would be hard to leave Penrith.

Cleary is contracted at the Panthers until the end of next season with Penrith having opened preliminary discussions with both the star half and his father Ivan.

The 28-year-old is seemingly in no rush to decide his future, but will become the hottest commodity on the market for 2028 if not re-signed before November 1.

Cleary has never previously tested the market, having signed long-term extensions in 2018 and 2022 well before becoming a free agent.

"It's a process that's pretty foreign to me, I've never done it," Cleary said ahead of Saturday's clash with Parramatta.

"That's a discussion to be had in the coming weeks or months or whatever. I don't know.

"(I've said) I wasn't going to close off any avenues, like I was quite open to everything ... I just didn't want to really lock myself in too early.

"But I've always said as well that a week is such a long time in rugby league let alone a few months, so you just don't know what's going to happen."

Cleary feels it's too early to talk about his future, but admitted continued speculation may prompt him to fast-track a decision.

Australia's Test No.7 been linked to interest from new club Papua New Guinea, but said it was not something he had considered.

Asked directly if it was hard to see him leaving Penrith, whom he debuted for in 2016 and has won four premierships with his father Ivan as coach, Cleary said it was.

"It's pretty hard to imagine right now, yeah," he said. 

"I haven't really thought about it too much but trying to imagine being somewhere else, it's tough to think of in my mind."

If Cleary was to hit the open market, he would likely become the richest player in the game.

But it is unlikely he would use a bidding war to bump up his price at Penrith, with Cleary having previously stated he does not want to sink the club's cap.

He has already won four premierships at Penrith and the Panthers look every chance of going for a fifth this year after dominant opening three rounds.

The prospect of winning more at his local club could serve as reason to stay.

By the same token, the challenge of winning elsewhere could also drive some players.

"I don't think that would ever play a part in my decision really," he said.

"I think that's just the by-product of trying to be better each and every year, and each and every day."

Australian Associated Press