Penrith could have up to $1 million to spend if Origin five-eighth James Maloney decides to leave at the end of the year.
His departure from the league has been speculated throughout the year, with rumours circulating that he is set to ask for an early release from his contract to take up a lucrative deal in the English Super League.
However, reports from The Australian’s Brent Read suggests that the departure of Maloney would open up a war chest for the club to spend in 2020.
He notes that the departure of international outside backs Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Waqa Blake has relieved any potential salary cap dramas that the club had, with the exit of Maloney freeing up $800,000-$900,000 to be spent in the off-season.
“They're on pretty safe terms now… with those two blokes gone (Watene-Zelezniak and Blake), Penrith is putting only minimal money into their deals and they're $100,000 under the cap for now,” Read said on Triple M on Saturday.
“If Jimmy Maloney goes at the end of the year and Penrith will not stand in his way if he gets a good offer, they could have up to $800,000-900,000 to spend next year”
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Read clarified that the club is happy to keep Maloney around if he wishes to stay in the NRL, however, he said that Maloney is likely to take the lucrative deal if it comes and the club will categorically let him go.
“I think that’s something that will be sorted soon, James wants to get a deal done in the next couple of weeks. If that offer comes from England, a two-three year deal, Jimmy is likely to take it and he will probably take it.”
“Otherwise Penrith is comfortable either way, they’re in a pretty good position.”
Maloney joined the Panthers in 2017 after leading the Roosters and Sharks to premierships in 2013 and 2016 respectively.
Since arriving, he has been an essential part of the NSW Origin side, helping lead the side to back-to-back series victories for the first time since 2005.