The Melbourne Storm will table their final offer for back-rower Sika Manu today as they look to ward off heavy interest in the Kiwi international.
Up to six Sydney clubs have expressed an interest in Manu’s services in 2013; however the exit of centre Dane Nielson this week – who announced he will link with the Warriors next season – has boosted the Storm’s chances of retaining Manu.
Manu’s manager Chris Orr said a final decision would be made in the next seven days. He said Manu would prefer to stay at the Storm but admitted a number of factors, including where Manly forward Tony Williams ends up, would influence the result.
“It’s all a bit of a jigsaw puzzle at the moment,” he said. “We’ll look at Melbourne’s offer and then sit down and look at the four main Sydney clubs and make a decision that best suits Sika. All things being equal he would prefer to stay in Melbourne but he also has to think of his family so if moving to Sydney is the best thing for them then that’s a decision he is prepared to make.”
Williams has also attracted plenty of interest, with his junior club Parramatta among those leading the charge for his services. The Eels, along with Canterbury, Wests Tigers and Penrith, have all tabled an offer for Manu and Williams’ decision will heavily influence how much they can offer the Storm forward.
However, it is believed that Williams will knock back interest from rival clubs to ink a rich new deal with the Sea Eagles.