The Newcastle Knights are willing to release Jake Clifford from the final year of his contract, opening the way for the playmaker to join Super League club Hull FC.
Clifford, 24, is being pursued by Hull after the English club lost its star fullback Jake Connor.
Hull view Connor's exit as an opportunity to recruit a playmaker like Clifford and use former Knight Tex Hoy, who has joined the club on a two-year deal, as a fullback rather than in the halves next season, according to English media reports.
After Clifford's disappointing season, which included spending time in reserve grade, the Newcastle Herald understands the Knights would not stand in his way if he opted for a move abroad.
The Knights recently recruited former Broncos playmaker Tyson Gamble for the next two seasons, and already have halves Adam Clune and Phoenix Crossland contracted for 2023.
Reports also continue to linger that Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks will join the club. That speculation would only heighten if Clifford departed for England.
Knights coach Adam O'Brien has also indicated that he is flirting with the idea of moving Kalyn Ponga into the halves next year.
Clifford, a once highly fancied halves prospect who has made 67 NRL appearances, played only 12 games this year - one less than the 13 he featured in last year after joining the Knights mid-season from the Cowboys.
While he started his 2022 campaign well, without experienced half Mitchell Pearce steering the ship Clifford suffered a drop in form and confidence after a few games that ultimately culminated in him being benched during Newcastle's 50-2 loss to Melbourne at home in round eight.
He was dropped from the side the next week and went on to play only four more games. He broke his arm against the Tigers in round 21 and did not feature again.
The Knights were not willing to comment on Tuesday.
A move to England is seen as an opportunity for Clifford to regain his confidence in the northern hemisphere competition after struggling under pressure this year.
Hull FC coach Tony Smith was coy on Clifford joining the club, but said his fullback's exit had opened the door to recruit a half.
"We'll certainly look around. We're now in a position where we can do that," he told English media.
"Now Jake [Connor] has gone, it frees up a bit to spend to strengthen areas that we feel we need to strengthen."
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