NRL: Vatuvei to stay put if money is right

Manu Vatuvei is one of the Warriors' top players and probably has the biggest fan following as well. Photo / Getty Images

The Warriors are going to have to show Manu Vatuvei the money if they are to keep their star winger beyond next season.

With the renegotiation of his contract on the table, Vatuvei says he wants to remain at the club that has nurtured him since he was a teenager. But only if the price is right. If not, he'll test his value on the open market next year.

"I'd love to stay but I've got to try to find something that will look after my family," he said. "But if everything is all right, sweet as."

Having recovered from a serious case of the dropsies that threatened to derail his career in 2007 to become the most potent wing in the NRL, Vatuvei's market value is at an all-time high.

"I don't know about that," he said. "I'll find out my value soon. Hopefully it is good so I can stay but, y'know, anything can happen. If I'm on the open market next year we'll see what happens.

"I just leave all that to my manager [Peter Brown]. I try to keep away from it and just concentrate on my game."

Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah wouldn't comment on specifics, but with Steve Price having retired and Brent Tate leaving, Vatuvei is in line to become the club's highest earning player.

The 24-year-old has continued his torrid pace of recent seasons, scoring 12 tries in 11 outings this year to take his tally to 70 in 105 games.

As well as his on-field performance, the club will have to factor in his commercial value and appeal to fans. The Beast is undoubtedly worth plenty of bums on seats.

"I obviously wouldn't talk about salaries but he certainly should be one of the top earning wingers in the game," Scurrah said.

"He is one of our top players and one of our most easily recognised players, with probably the biggest fan following as well. So we'd certainly love to keep him at the club.

"You just have to be at the games to see what the fans think of him.

"We are still in discussion with Peter and Manu and we have expressed a desire to try and keep him. But nothing has been resolved yet."