The Newcastle Knights are beginning to assess their options on the player market with Mitchell Pearce's impending move to France.
Pearce is expected to break his contract and ink a deal with Catalans Dragons, leaving the Knights without an experienced playmaker for next season.
And according to Channel 7's Michelle Bishop, Corey Norman has landed on their radar with the exiled Dragons five-eighth still without an NRL contract for 2022.
Norman was informed midway through the season he wouldn't be re-signed down in Wollongong and since then the two-time Queensland Origin playmaker's options have dried up.
Norman was close to joining the Knights in 2019 before ultimately linking up with St. George Illawarra on a lucrative contract to replace Gareth Widdop at the time.
Speaking on SEN, Bishop revealed Newcastle have revisited the idea of bringing Norman to the Hunter and have engaged the playmaker's management.
“I have contacted Corey Norman’s management and they have had discussions with the Newcastle Knights,” Bishop said.
“I will tell you this, that it is definitely not the Knights’ priority.
“I can also reveal that Corey Norman was shopped to the Catalans Dragons prior to this all happening when there was discussions of James Maloney possibly retiring.
“The Dragons were not interested and if you join the dots that’s because they were already well advanced in talking to Mitchell Pearce as their preferred option.”
Although less likely given he re-signed earlier this year, Cowboys star Scott Drinkwater is another name that's been tossed up around Newcastle circles.
Drinkwater inked a two-year extension with North Queensland back in May that will take him through until 2023.
However, he'll be locked in a three-way battle with new arrivals Tom Dearden and Chad Townsend for a spot in the halves in Todd Payten's side next year.
Drinkwater has proven a capable fullback, although outlined to Sporting News earlier this year that he's determined to prove himself as a long-term half.
A Central Coast local, Drinkwater still looms as a genuine option for the Knights despite being under contract, Bishop believes.
“Scott Drinkwater has also been mentioned but he is contracted until the end of 2023 at the Cowboys,” she said.
“But when you look at his situation you have Tom Dearden and Chad Townsend there so if he could get out of that he is a local Terrigal boy just up the M1 and it would be a nice homecoming.”
Newcastle acquired Jake Clifford from the Cowboys earlier in the year and the well-rated playmaker formed a strong partnership next to Pearce towards the back-end of the season.
Meanwhile, a permanent move into the halves for superstar fullback Kalyn Ponga has long been rumoured, and with Pearce almost certain to join Catalans it could be fast-tracked for next year.
Newcastle confirmed on Wednesday Pearce had filed a formal request for a release which the club is considering.
"The nib Newcastle Knights can confirm an official request has been received from Mitchell Pearce regarding an immediate release from the final year of his contract," a statement from Newcastle said.
"Club officials met with Pearce last night and again today, where the request was outlined and officially lodged.
"The Knights have agreed to consider the request, with both parties respectfully agreeing to make no further comment until an outcome is determined.
"Discussions between Pearce and the club remain productive, with both parties focussed on achieving a positive outcome while maintaining the great relationship that currently exists.
"No specific timeline has been determined on an outcome for the request, with all involved continuing to follow the due process required."
