Nathan Cleary transfer talk intensifies as Hull FC offer claim emerges
nathan cleary is back at the center of major transfer talk after claims surfaced that Hull FC have made a long-term offer for the Penrith Panthers star. The 2026 NRL season storyline sharpened on the eve of his 200th NRL game, with November 1 now looming as the date when he could speak to rival clubs. Cleary remains contracted to Penrith until the end of 2027, but the latest chatter has pushed his future into sharp focus.
November 1 is the key date for nathan cleary
The immediate issue is simple: nathan cleary is not free to move now, but he is expected to be able to negotiate with other teams from November 1 if he does not extend with Penrith first. That is the date being watched closely after reports emerged that people around the player expect him to at least test his value on the open market.
That does not mean a move is certain. One close read of the situation is that Cleary may simply want to find out what is available, rather than leave Penrith, where he has built his career and remains under contract for two more seasons after this one.
Hull FC offer claim puts pressure on Penrith
The strongest new claim is that Hull FC have offered Cleary a four-year deal worth £1 million per season. The suggestion is that the Super League club has put serious money on the table, though the offer has been described as informal and not revisited since it was first raised earlier this year.
If accurate, the figure would place extraordinary pressure on any club hoping to land him, and it underscores how far Cleary’s market value could rise once he is free to talk. One journalist on the matter said he would be the first player to reach the $2 million mark if he left Penrith, while another said he is the closest the game has seen to that level.
Penrith’s position is still strong, but the opening of the open market would give Cleary the chance to assess his worth in a way he has not yet done during this contract cycle. The timing matters, because the November 1 window is now at the heart of every question around his next move.
What officials and commentators are saying
Brent Read said on NRL360 that people around Cleary expect him to test his value from November 1, while also stressing that it does not necessarily mean he will leave Penrith. Gorden Tallis added that while a departure would still be unlikely, Cleary would be wise to see what options are available after all he has achieved.
Ben Elias said he had been told by Garry Schofield that Hull FC had tabled the £1 million-a-year offer for four years. Braith Anasta added that the size of the potential money suggests Cleary may go to November 1 and gauge the scale of interest.
What happens next
The next major checkpoint is Cleary’s 200th NRL game, a milestone that only adds weight to the current speculation. After that, attention will remain fixed on whether Penrith move to secure him early or whether nathan cleary allows November 1 to arrive and opens the door to rival clubs. For now, the story is less about a confirmed departure and more about a player whose next decision could reshape the market.
