League: Warriors prepared to chase Foran hard

Sea Eagles playmaker Kieran Foran is in New Zealand for the Auckland Nines. Photo / Getty Images

Sea Eagles star considering his options ahead of coming off contract next year

Manly and Kiwis five-eighth Kieran Foran admits the prospect of joining the Warriors would be a big call but the club remain determined to move heaven and earth to sign him for 2016.

The 24-year-old is off contract at the Sydney club at the end of the season but is taking his time to consider several offers from the Sea Eagles and other rival clubs, including the Warriors, Eels, Roosters and Bulldogs.

"To be honest, it is a bigger call to move home here," Foran explained during yesterday's NRL Auckland Nines fan day at Aotea Square. "I'm not ruling anything out but it would be a bigger call to come back here, seeing as we've just had a young baby last year and we're pretty set up in Sydney at the moment.

"It's our first child and we're really enjoying living on the northern beaches at the moment. It's going really good but every option is an option at this stage. I'm still undecided at this point. I'm just working through the process with my manager and trying to get down closer to a decision."

Australian media rate Parramatta as the most likely destination for the tough-as-nails playmaker should he decide to leave Manly, while the Warriors hardly rate a mention among the likely contenders for his services.

It's certainly quietened down since Warriors owner Eric Watson caused a stir when he took to Twitter last year mistakenly welcoming Foran to the club - he later apologised for getting fans excited.

There is talk the Eels are prepared to cull Chris Sandow and offer a huge deal in the wake of Jarryd Hayne's decision to pursue a career in the NFL.

Foran also has close ties to coach Brad Arthur and former Manly teammate Anthony Watmough.

The good news for Warriors fans is chief executive Jim Doyle realises they face a difficult challenge to lure Foran across the ditch but are prepared to make a huge offer to make it happen.

"We know Kieran's just had a baby and is well settled on the northern beaches and it would take a lot for him to leave but the Warriors are willing to offer him a lot to leave and come to New Zealand," Doyle said.

"It's an ongoing discussion we're having with his agent and with Kieran. I know Kieran quite well from my New Zealand Rugby League days, so we're constantly in communication."

Foran and Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson were seen in deep discussions yesterday, and Foran said the prospect of reuniting with his Kiwis halves partner is enticing.

If he were to leave Manly, playing alongside another halfback who possessed similar x-factor and creative ability to Sea Eagles No7 Daly Cherry-Evans would be a priority.

"I've got a top half where I am at the moment with Cherry-Evans. We really love playing together but Shaun's another one who's got x-factor in loads.

"He's a world-class player and when you're making a decision you definitely look at who you are going to be playing alongside. ... it was good to catch up but, at this stage, I'm just sifting through the process."

Kieran Foran
Age: 24
NRL games: 128 for Manly Sea Eagles
NRL debut: v Raiders 21/06/2009 (Rd 15)
Kiwis tests: 19
Did you know? Foran played junior league for the Ellerslie Eagles until he moved to Australia as a 9-year-old.