New details come to light in $650,000 revelation about Brian To'o situation at Panthers

Brian To'o is at the centre of fresh drama at Penrith amid reports he could be seeking a move away from the three-time defending premiers to chase a bigger payday at a rival club. Panthers fans were left stunned on Tuesday when reports emerged To'o could be seeking an early release from his NRL contract.

While nothing has been confirmed, Channel Nine reporter Danny Weidler claimed To'o's manager was meeting with the Panthers to discuss the winger's position. The move comes as the Panthers have been heavily linked with Blaize Talagi in recent weeks and the Eels' announcement he will be leaving the club on Tuesday has only added to the drama.

If the talented Talagi does sign for the Panthers, he could demand more money than the winger's current contract. And To'o may be feeling undervalued at the club with reports the winger is on $650,000 a year at the Panthers.

After spending time with fellow representatives in the Blues camp during State of Origin last month, it has been suggested To'o feels he could demand more money. To'o has watched friends Stephen Crichton and Jarome Luai sign mega-deal contracts with rival clubs in recent years. And their boosted contracts may have prompted To'o to consider his worth with his contract ending in 2027.

To'o is considered by many as the best winger in the game due to the amount of work he gets through in an average NRL game. This has prompted Braith Anasta to argue the Panthers premiership winger could be worth more than $1 million a year on his next contract.

“If he does move on, I know one club that could do with him and his mate (Jarome Luai) is going there next year, the Tigers,” Anasta said on Fox Sports' NRL 360. “And I would think that he’d be over a million-dollar player there or close to. He’s not only a winger, he’s like a front-rower.

“He’s not a risk or a gamble, that’s why he was the first picked for New South Wales because he is relentless, consistent and plays at an elite level every week. He’s a big reason as to why Penrith have been successful as long as they have.”

Reporter Paul Crawley agreed the Tigers are an option, considering they have space in their salary cap, but the Bulldogs could also be an option. Josh Addo-Carr is off contact in 2027 and the club is finding its feet under Phil Gould and Cameron Ciraldo.

“If he went to the Wests Tigers he could help change their entire game because the way that he can get the sets started, he would be outstanding for them,” Crawley said. The Bulldogs are the other club, Josh Addo-Carr is off contract at the end of next year. He’s on around $600,000.”

Panthers attempt to quell Brian To'o speculation

While the reports caused a stir in the NRL world, reporter Peter Lang claimed Panthers CEO Matt Cameron was quick to quell the drama. "There is nothing going on with Brian To’o," said club CEO Cameron. "He is a vital part of our club and we are not shopping him around. He is here until 2027 and hopefully beyond.”

To'o has been pivotal in the Panthers' winning three-straight premierships over the last three years, but has seen a number of his close mates leave the club due to salary cap pressure. To'o describes himself as 'brothers' with Crichton, Spencer Leniu and Luai, who will all be at other clubs by the time 2025 rolls around. The winger has quickly been linked to join up with one either Crichton or Luai if he leaves the Panthers in the future.