The Manly Sea Eagles have stepped up their bid to entice Daly Cherry-Evans to renege on his deal with the Titans, earmarking Greg Bird as their next recruitment target.
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Fairfax Media has been told the Sea Eagles are keen to lure the representative forward back to Sydney to bolster their struggling pack after securing the services of his Gold Coast teammate Nate Myles for next season.
While Manly are desperately trying to strengthen their muscle up front, the tactic of pursuing Bird after nabbing Myles would also weaken the Titans and make the move to the Gold Coast less appealing for Cherry-Evans.
As revealed by Fairfax Media on Tuesday, Trent Barrett is poised to make a dramatic mid-season switch from the Penrith Panthers to join the Sea Eagles as assistant to coach Geoff Toovey.
While Toovey isn't off contract until the end of 2016, it is understood Barrett is being groomed to take over, possibly as early as next year if the struggling Sea Eagles fail to turn their season around.
Cherry-Evans is aware of Barrett's pending arrival at Brookvale, but the Manly halfback has two weeks to decide whether to honour his four-year deal at the Titans or remain at
the club which handed him his NRL debut in the first round of the 2011 season.
Former Gold Coast Titans coach John Cartwright has also been mentioned as a potential new coaching staff member, who would work alongside Barrett and immortal Bob Fulton under a new-look regime.
Barrett, who was this year promoted from Penrith Holden Cup coach to Ivan Cleary's assistant, has a strong relationship with Fulton given their time together at representative level.
Bird, who will miss this year's State of Origin series after he was banned for eight games for a dangerous tackle on Dragons winger Jason Nightingale, is managed by brothers Gavin and Chris Orr, who also represent Cherry-Evans.
It is believed Bird hasn't given the Titans any indication he is unhappy at the club, but the Sea Eagles are interested in offering the suspended back-rower the option of leaving.
Another key component of the puzzle is Darcy Lussick who, along with Nate Myles, is close friends with Cherry-Evans.
The Queensland and Australian playmaker is keen to play behind an imposing forward pack, which is why Manly are also believed to be trying to bring Lussick back to the club after three years at the Parramatta Eels.
Cherry-Evans, who has reportedly invested in real estate on the Gold Coast, has failed to silence the speculation about a potential backflip on his Titans deal.
Last week he told Fox Sports: "I guess it would be a curious situation to see what does eventuate if [Manly] do offer something.
"There is still two weeks left, so two more weeks of speculation. There is a rule in place which gives Manly every opportunity to do what they have to to retain me.
"With the decision, I have nothing to change at the moment. I'm happy with my decision to go to the Gold Coast, and as we know there is a rule in place which allows Manly to have a go at retaining me."
