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Dragons chase Valentine Holmes, contract theft, North Queensland Cowboys, news, videos, highlights, Sydney Roosters, NRL360

The Dragons' pursuit of Cowboys superstar Valentine Holmes has reportedly “hit an obstacle” due to a surprise decision by the center's manager.

Decision-makers in North Queensland have given the Maroons president permission to negotiate with his rivals in recent weeks, despite making it clear that they would be happy to use his services.

Holmes will enter the final year of his contract next season, meaning he will become a free agent on November 1 and could negotiate with clubs for a contract starting in 2026 or later.

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The Dragons emerged as favourites for his signature and according to Fox League's James Hooper, Shane Flanagan has made every effort to confirm the signing.

Now, however, Holmes is reportedly getting cold feet and is ready to play out his current contract in Townsville until the end.

“Shane Flanagan flew out there and met with Val. I think it was all going in the right direction but there was one obstacle,” Hooper said on NRL360 on Monday night.

“I think Val came back to the club and said, 'You know what, I've spoken to my family and I actually think I might prefer to fulfil my contract.'

“He still has to run next year, so the Cowboys have to try to maneuver the situation now to get the best result.”

However, Phil Rothfield of the Daily Telegraph considers Holmes' decision to back out of a possible move a “strange” one.

He pointed to the star center's potential to secure two more seasons with a hefty salary that could increase with a rumored move to fullback for the Red V.

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“It's a pretty strange move since Val is guaranteed $800,000 or something next year with the Cowboys,” Rothfield said.

“When he goes to St George Illawarra he gets (his salary) for three years, so he's thinking about his family.”

To make matters even more complicated, Holmes and his manager reportedly tried desperately to persuade the representative to join the Roosters.

However, the Tricolours' decision-makers have reportedly made it clear that they would not be willing to sign a full-back of his calibre despite the big stars they are losing at the end of 2024.

“There is another really interesting side story to this story: Val Holmes and his manager knocked on the door of the Sydney Roosters not long ago.

“He knew Joseph Suaalii and Joey Manu were leaving. He's a good buddy of Chad Townsend and would have felt very comfortable in that system.

“But the Roosters don’t have room, they told me.”

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