Tigers rising star hits market early as Souths bid for playmaker to stay
Rising Wests Tigers star Tallyn Da Silva has been given permission to negotiate with rival clubs immediately as South Sydney work toward Bud Sullivan staying at the Rabbitohs rather than returning to the joint-venture next season.
Da Silva has fielded interest from Newcastle, along with other unknown rivals, regarding a move with both long- and short-term moves for the young hooker raised this week.
Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson confirmed discussions between the two clubs had at first centred on loaning Da Silva, who is contracted at Concord for another 18 months, to the injury-stricken Knights for the rest of 2025.
Newcastle has since floated a swap deal that would see Da Silva join the Knights in exchange for English back-rower Kai Pearce-Paul taking up his three-year deal with the Tigers (originally for next season) before the June 30 mid-season deadline.
Da Silva's agent has in turn requested and been granted permission to go to market before November 1. The 20-year-old local junior is rated one of the best young hookers in the game.
Da Silva has told the Tigers his preference is to re-sign at the club, but not if he is to play second fiddle to captain Api Koroisau, who is in negotiations around an extension beyond 2026.
Koroisau recently raised eyebrows when he said he 'would be open to' joining the Perth Bears in 2027 but the 32-year-old's preference is to finish his career at the Tigers.
A push for an immediate exit has not been ruled out by the Da Silva camp pending his negotiations with rivals.
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