Time is running out for Scott Prince to confirm a move to Hull FC after the English Super League club issued a "final offer" while setting its sights on Wests Tigers halfback Jacob Miller.
Prince is at risk of missing out on a lucrative three-year UK deal with his future at the Gold Coast Titans still unresolved and Hull FC hinting that Miller may provide more long-term value.
While Prince was initially their "top target", Hull FC owner Adam Pearson said the race to fill their halfback vacancy would now come down to who snapped up the Super League contract first.
Prince met with Hull FC coach Peter Gentle on the weekend but the former Test halfback failed to commit to the long-term offer.
Instead, Prince opted to wait and meet with John Cartwright when the Titans coach returned from an overseas off-season trip on Wednesday in order to discuss his future at the Gold Coast.
It is believed Prince is still deciding whether to see out his Titans contract or fly out to the UK and extend his career.
Prince is contracted to the Titans through to 2013 with an option for 2014 but the Gold Coast will reportedly not activate it.
The veteran No.7 is believed to be upset after reports that he's being shopped around by the Titans to free up money under the salary cap.
"We've made final offers now for Scott and Jacob and we'll see where that goes," Hull FC boss Pearson told BBC Radio Humberside.
"We have a lot of quality in there with (five-eighth) Daniel Holdsworth, as well as (halfback options) Brett Seymour and Richard Horne but one more would stand us in good stead.
"We've had positive dialogue with the players and their representatives so we'll see."
However, Hull newspaper reports claim the Super League club may be leaning toward 20-year-old Miller after Prince, 32, could not commit at Gentle's face-to-face meeting.
Reports said Miller could be moulded by Gentle alongside ex-Bulldogs half Holdsworth and would be a better long-term option for the club.
Founding Titans chairman Paul Broughton believed Prince may be better off extending his career and taking up the UK deal.
With a messy Prince-Titans divorce on the cards, Broughton said it was best that the Gold Coast decided his future now rather than later.
"If the club were not going to tell him they were going to renew his contract in 2014 until mid-2013 then I think it would have been really bad," he told AAP.
"I think now he can make a commercial decision that will advantage him in the long term."
Wests Tigers recruitment manager Warren McDonnell hoped the appointment of new coach Mick Potter would discourage Junior Kangaroo Miller from leaving.
"I spoke with Mick about his plans for the future and Jacob is part of them," he said of the NSW Under-20s captain.
"Jacob got a taste of first-grade last season and I can't see him leaving us now.
"I really think he will learn more next season under Mick."
