Former NRL first grader Jimmy Smith says Newcastle have offered Mitchell Pearce a "five or six" year contract as the race for the playmaker heats up.
Pearce was granted a release by the Roosters after the club signed Cooper Cronk from Melbourne.
The 28-year-old has been linked with a move to Manly - who let five-eighth Blake Green go to the Warriors - but Newcastle and Cronulla are also reportedly interested in the 17-game Origin halfback.
Speaking on
Fox Sports Smith revealed that the Knights have offered Pearce a long-term deal.
"They're desperate to get a player like Mitchell Pearce to go there," Smith said.
"A known leader, he's going to be the best trainer there, bringing through a young side, a lot of Roosters players already there in Aidan Guerra, Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Connor Watson.
"So from that point of view it's a really good fit and they've got a lot of space in their cap.
"My understanding is that they've offered him a long-term deal, and when I say 'long,' that's a five or six year deal."
If he accepted the offer, Pearce would be at the Knights until the age of 34.
"What we've seen from players these days is that's a bit of a sweet spot for players retiring," Smith continued.
"Physically, he's such a good athlete and he prepares himself so well, that that would be no problem.
"Whether that's enough to get him across the line, Manly can't offer that length of deal, they can't offer the amount of money that Newcastle's offering either."
Pearce has played 238 games for the Roosters, but made way for Cronk, who signed with the Tricolours on a two-year deal.
http://www.sportingnews.com/au/leag...ve-or-six-year-deal/2xuu9wfjrcgo1j1o33kpv3ttl
