Perth has emerged as a genuine destination for Penrith Panthers prop Moses Leota, but the expansion Bears will only pursue the Kiwi international if the Panthers are willing to release him a full year before his contract expires.

Leota is contracted through to the end of the 2027 season, though Penrith has given him permission to test the market ahead of officially becoming a free agent. That window, however, is brief — it closes at the end of this week.

Perth's interest comes with a firm condition

The Bears, preparing for their inaugural NRL season, have both the financial firepower and the desire to secure Leota as part of their foundation squad. The sticking point is timing. Perth wants Leota available for 2027 — their first year in the competition — meaning Penrith would need to grant him an early release from the final year of his deal.

If the Panthers hold firm and insist Leota honours his contract in full, the Bears will not wait until 2028 and will withdraw their interest entirely. It is understood the Panthers are keen to keep Leota at the club, which adds further complexity to any potential move.

Leota open to staying, but leaving it to his manager

Leota himself struck a measured tone after Penrith's 36-14 victory over South Sydney at CommBank Stadium on Friday night, making clear his focus remains on football while his management handles negotiations.

"It's just to see what's out there and then obviously come back to the club, and we'll sort it out that way," Leota said. "I am happy at Penrith. Obviously, my manager's got a job to do, and I leave it up to him."

When asked whether remaining at the foot of the mountains was a realistic outcome, Leota was candid about his affection for the club while stopping short of any commitment. "Yeah, 100 per cent. But then again, I'll leave that to my manager, and we'll go from there," he said. "It's a lot of things to consider — family, my future. But like I said, I want to stay, but we'll see how we go."

He also acknowledged the gesture from his club: "Credit to the club, they let me go to the market early."

Competition for Leota's signature narrows

Leota is widely regarded as one of the premier props in the competition, and suitors were expected to line up. However, the field appears to be thinning. Parramatta had been considered a likely interested party but has opted not to pursue him at this stage. Expansion franchise the PNG Chiefs, set to enter the competition in 2028, have also indicated they will not be chasing the forward.

The Penrith retention challenge is being complicated by a crowded free-agent landscape at the club. Stars including Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin, Brian To'o, Mitch Kenny, Isaiah Papali'i, Blaize Talagi and Paul Alamoti are all due to hit the open market if they do not recommit before the November 1 deadline.

Salary cap rise could reshape Leota's value

Leota's negotiations are also taking place against the backdrop of an anticipated significant rise in the NRL salary cap. It is expected the cap could climb to as high as $20 million by 2028, which would likely make Leota one of the bigger financial beneficiaries if he enters the market as a free agent at the right time.

For now, the ball is squarely in Penrith's court. Whether the Panthers prioritise releasing a valued squad member early — or hold him to his deal and potentially lose Perth's interest altogether — will determine where one of the game's most sought-after props plays his football in 2027.