Wests Tigers are prepared to devote a large chunk of their salary cap towards paying Robbie Farah to play against them for the next two years such is their desire to move on their skipper.

While the club's salary cap woes are an easy justification for wanting Farah to leave, the reasoning is far deeper. The club's salary cap pressure will ease when Farah is off-loaded from his deal. However, with Farah on a heavily back-ended contract – worth about $950,000 per year – rival clubs won't be able to match that meaning the Tigers will foot the bulk of the bill, which they are seemingly OK with even if clubs "low-ball" them.

While Farah was only told the news on Tuesday, his management have been aware of the club's desire to move him on for weeks.

Despite being the club's skipper, the Tigers want a clean break from the old guard which has seen Benji Marshall, Bryce Gibbs, Chris Heighington and Beau Ryan moved on in recent years. Chris Lawrence remains but he too faces an uncertain future with one year remaining on his contract, while Keith Galloway has already been released.

It is understood Tigers coach Jason Taylor wants his young halves to take more control, and they have struggled to do so with Farah – such a seasoned and dominate player -  watching over. Ownership of the team will now be given to Luke Brooks and Mitchell Moses.

While Farah has tried to take a back seat this year following the appointment of Taylor, he has struggled with relinquishing the responsibility he has held for so long and his form has dipped. As such, there is a belief that the halves have battled to develop as they fight for control.

Those within the Tigers camp believe Farah's attitude towards training and the coach has been the best it has been for a long time. His relationship with Taylor is fine, but there is a feel the Tigers can not develop while shackled to their past. Blame has been placed on Farah following the demise of coaches Tim Sheens and Mick Potter.

If Farah can not secure a contract elsewhere and remains on the Tigers' roster for next season, Taylor will make good on his promise and relegate him to NSW Cup. Farah joked he may run around at Henson Park next year, but that would become a reality if he is not nabbed.

The Tigers will show their hand and prove there is money on offer still for next season when they try and entice an experienced hooker to join the club. Manly's Matt Ballin – who despite agreeing to a contract extension is unwanted by the Sea Eagles – is on their radar. Ballin's season-ending knee reconstruction may spook the Tigers, but there is genuine interest there, as they look for a defensive hooker who will not overshadow their ball-playing halves.

The Tigers have two of the brightest young hookers in the game to go with their young spine. Junior Kiwi Manaia Cherrington – who has played first grade in Farah's absence – is 21 and contracted until the end of next year. Under-20s hooker Jacob Liddle, who represented the Australian Schoolboys last year, is also contracted until the end of next year.