Daniel Saifiti's contract situation could drag on with the NSW State of Origin prop declaring he will only leave Newcastle if it suits his football and finances.
Contracted with the Knights until the end of 2026, Saifiti has been given permission to talk to rivals about moving on as the club attempts to create cap space.
Saifiti flew to Queensland last week to tour the Dolphins facilities, and has a good relationship with their incoming coach Kristian Woolf from his time at Newcastle.
But the 28-year-old is adamant a deal is no slam dunk, even if the Knights and Dolphins agree to terms for his move.
Saifiti is guaranteed his Newcastle salary for the next two years, with the Knights responsible for paying any gap between his current contract and the Dolphins' offer and carrying it in their salary cap.
But Saifiti would want a deal that goes beyond 2027, and he is adamant he will only leave Newcastle if the money is right.
"If the club think I am taking a pay cut to go somewhere else, it's not happening," Saifiti said.
"I had a meeting up there and it went well. I saw it was announced (in the media) I was signed, but that's not true.
"I think someone from the club got an agenda so they could pay less money, but it is what it is. At the moment I am still signed at Newcastle for two years.
"At the end of the day the ball is in my court and I can do what I want."
Saifiti would be a logical fit for the Dolphins, who would like an Origin player to replace veteran New Zealand forward Jesse Bromwich.
Tom Flegler also has questions over his future given his shoulder injury.
But Saifiti said it was more than money that would dictate whether he grants the Knights their wish by heading for the exit doors.
"It's hard to leave Newcastle. My partner is from Newcastle, her family is from Newcastle. I'm from the Central Coast," he said.
"If I do leave to go somewhere, even though I have been given permission to go, I don't have to go. I have to be impressed to leave.
"I'm not going to go somewhere where I have to rebuild all over again. It just wouldn't make sense.
"I have done that my whole career. I have been through wooden spoons. So for me to leave, I want to go to a good club."
Saifiti also indicated that the situation could drag into the off-season, as Newcastle fight to win their last two games and qualify for the finals.
"I am in no rush," he said.
"I feel like I am in a position where I have two years left on good coin. It's not like I'm getting rushed out by the club.
"I have had talks with other teams. If I do go, I go. If I stay, I stay. The ball is in my court."
