Klemmer forced to wait as Napa considers options

David Klemmer's wait for a release from Canterbury to join Newcastle is set to extend for another week as Sydney Roosters prop Dylan Napa considers his future.

Napa, who is contracted to the Roosters until the end of next season, holds the key to Klemmer's move to the Knights after being identified as Canterbury's prime target to replace the Test prop.

However, the 26-year-old has been in no rush to make a decision on his future and is believed to be investigating whether other clubs are also interested in his services for next season or 2020.

Canterbury and Newcastle officials are working to finalise Klemmer's move by December 1 but Canterbury do not want to release him until they have secured a suitable replacement.

Few other clubs are able to accommodate a prop of Napa's standing next season without restructuring their roster so it remains likely he will either reach agreement with the Bulldogs or stay put at the Roosters.

The Knights, who have been the most active club in the off-season player market, are waiting for Klemmer and a decision on whether St George Illawarra will release utility Kurt Mann before finalising their 2019 roster.

Warriors prop James Gavet and South Sydney back Hymel Hunt have been their most recent additions following the signing of Melbourne front-rower Tim Glasby, Cronulla centre Jesse Ramien and winger Edrick Lee, Warriors halfback Mason Lino and Bulldogs hooker Zac Woolford.

Newcastle coach Nathan Brown wants Mann as a hooker and if the Dragons agree to release him New Zealand international Danny Levi could be given the option of looking elsewhere, with Parramatta a possible destination.

The Dragons are one of the few other clubs still actively in the market for players next season, with their main focus is finding at least one top line winger to replace Nene Macdonald and Jason Nightingale.

South Sydney are yet to announce the re-signing of the club's leading try-scorer Robert Jennings but he is believed to have agreed to stay and after confirming 2014 premiership-winning captain John Sutton would play on next year their books are full.

The Rabbitohs also released prop Zane Musgrove to Wests Tigers on Thursday.

Cronulla had expressed interest in South fullback Alex Johnston before Valentine Holmes announced his shock decision to leave the club for a shot at NFL but that was for 2020.

Johnston has been linked with the Sharks as a replacement for Holmes but at this stage, he is expected to stay put next season.

Melbourne officials insist captain Cameron Smith will play next season and possibly in 2020, with a new deal to be finalised after coach Craig Bellamy returns from overseas.

Smith is keen for a two-year deal but it is understood the star hooker would not play on beyond next season if he felt his form was dipping as the club has a ready-made replacement in Kiwis No.9 Brandon Smith.

The dilemma for the Storm is that they would want to know as early as possible whether Smith was going to play in 2020 as clubs are already approaching players coming off contract at the end of next season.

Melbourne officials insist Smith’s future has no impact on the club's ability to re-sign star five-eighth Cameron Munster for 2020 and beyond. 

The views in this article do not necessarily express the opinions of the NRL, ARLC, NRL clubs or state associations.