NRL: Panthers join race to sign Peta Hiku - report

In demand: Unwanted Manly utility Peta Hiku has had interest from St George-Illawarra, Parramatta and Penrith. Photo/Getty.

Penrith are believed to have joined the race for unwanted Manly utility Peta Hiku's services, with the Kiwis international expected to make a decision on his playing future in the coming days.

The Daily Telegraph reports the Panthers have followed Parramatta, St George-Illawarra, and South Sydney in pursuing the 23-year-old former Warriors junior.

Hiku still has two years remaining on his current deal with Manly, but recently arrived home from the Kiwis' four game tour of England to be told he was not among new Sea Eagles coach Trent Barrett's plans for next season.

The Eels and Dragons have already made public their interest in Hiku, but the Telegraph report his agent Stan Martin last night refused to reveal the identity of the third club, understood to be Penrith.

But whether the Panthers can lure him further west from Parramatta, remains to be seen.

Hiku has strong connections at the Eels, through coach and former Manly assistant Brad Arthur and former Sea Eagles teammates Kieran Foran, Anthony Watmough, Clint Gutherson and James Hasson.

Hiku also inspected the Dragons' training headquarters last week where it's been mooted he could slot in at either fullback or centre, while Penrith have some money to throw around after recently parting ways with Jamal Idris.

Martin confirmed to the Telegraph that his client has three offers in front of him and is expected to make his decision either today or tomorrow.