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Huge hint around star’s Raiders future after new report emerges; rival circling Knights gun: Whispers The Raiders are working on keeping a promising back rower in the nation’s capital amid uncertainty around Hudson Young’s future. Young rejected the Raiders’ latest $3.3 million offer and is set to negotiate with the PNG Chiefs, a strong indication he could leave Canberra at the end of next season. Watch every game of every round of the Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. In the mean time, the Raiders are shifting their focus on locking down young English forward Matty Nicholson, according to Code Sports. Talks between the two parties have reportedly intensified over the last week. The 23-year-old has impressed when he’s seen the field since arriving at the start of last season. He has all the makings of a top tier NRL edge forward, although injuries have caused havoc as he’s only played 15 first grade games. Like Young, Nicholson is under contract until the end of next season, but Canberra would love to secure the young gun’s future before the November 1 deadline. Canberra have enjoyed a heap of success with UK imports over the past decade with Josh Hodgson, John Bateman and George Williams just a few of the success stories. SYDNEY CLUB CHASING ORIGIN STAR The Eels are hoping to make a big splash during the upcoming free agency period with the club said to be very interested in Knights and Blues star Bradman Best. Best is contracted until the end of next season with the Knights, meaning he’ll be free to negotiate with rivals from November 1. According to CODE Sports journalist Brent Read, who broke the story on Wednesday afternoon, the Eels are in the market for a “strike centre”. That goal hasn’t been for a lack of trying already. The Eels have already been linked to Jack Howarth, Bronson Xerri and Jesse McLean, with the latter two off the market after signing with the Storm and Bulldogs respectively. “He’s (Best) in contract negotiations with the Knights but they haven’t been able to reach a deal and it it’s likely he’ll go to November 1,” Read said. “Parra are in desperate need for an outside back. They’ve gone after Jack Howarth and Bronson Xerri so it’s no secret they’re looking for a strike centre.” What will give the Knights the edge in negotiations is Best’s younger brother Baxter has signed a multi-year deal with Newcastle. “He’d be a great buy but he looks happy in Newcastle. You sure he wants to move to Sydney,” NRL360 host Braith Anasta asked Read. “There’s a speculation that people around him might want him to move to Sydney. He has family here and obviously he’s partner is Jeff Fenech’s daughter and Jeff played for the Eels if you remember,” Read responded. “His younger brother has just signed with Newcastle though so that confuses the situation a bit as well.” There are reports that Best could command over $1 million a season, meaning the Eels will have to stump up if they want their man. The Eels have also been linked to Dolphins gun Jack Bostock. He too remains unsigned beyond 2027. According to CODE, Bostock is reportedly hoping to return to Sydney.