EXCLUSIVE
Mitchell Moses could join the Parramatta Eels in the next fortnight as the Wests Tigers move to bring Panthers five-eighth Te Maire Martin back to the club this season.
The news comes as the Wests Tigers and New Zealand Warriors prop Ben Matulino agreed to terms on a deal believed to be worth close to $700,000 a season.
Fairfax Media understands the Tigers, who were again asked to release the player by Moses' manager on Monday, will let their five-eighth join the Eels this season but not before they have secured a replacement.
The Tigers had made an approach for Sydney Roosters utility Connor Watson, but the tri-colours are reluctant to let him leave before his 2018 contract expiration despite using him sparingly this year.
The Tigers have been locked in discussions with the Panthers about Martin making a mid-season switch back to his junior club, and it is understood Penrith won't stand in his way if he can come to an agreement with the Tigers.
It could all come to a head in the next 24 hours, allowing the Tigers and Eels to name their respective new signings before the Tuesday afternoon deadline for the 21-man squads.
While Martin is a player with enormous potential, there is a feeling at the foot of the mountains that the inexperienced halves combination with Nathan Cleary isn't working.
At the start of the season Martin revealed coach Anthony Griffin, who has the full backing of the club despite registering just two wins this season, had concerns about his physicality and toughness.
Regardless of whether Martin leaves the club this week, Bryce Cartwright is expected to again wear the No.6 jersey and could do so long-term such is the concern over the Kiwi international's physicality.
The Panthers are also aware of the club's salary cap position next season and shedding Martin will go some way to ensuring they will comply with a cap that is likely to be significantly less than the $10 million they predicted.
Martin played his junior football at the Tigers but was allowed to leave the club to link with the Panthers because Moses and Luke Brooks had been identified as their long-term playmakers.
Tigers chief executive Justin Pascoe and coach Ivan Cleary were both at the Panthers when they poached Martin in 2015, and now look like securing his services again.
The Tigers have begun planning for the post Aaron Woods era, agreeing to terms with Matulino for next season.
But Woods still hasn't signed with the Bulldogs and if he has a change of heart, the club is likely to put his offer back on the table if they haven't filled his position.
Woods put in a man of the match performance against the Bulldogs on Sunday, doing so after receiving injections on his foot to help him with a torn tendon.
He overcame the disappointment of being booed by his own fans in the warm-up to produce his best performance of the season and help his club to their third win of the year.
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