Mstrov has since spoken to Sutton and presented an offer closer to the original deal verbally agreed at a meeting between Sutton and Manly general manager Peter Gentle last week.
Gentle informed Sutton the club was willing to offer Trbojevic a three-year deal worth between $850,000-$900,000 per season.
Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold and CEO Tony Mestrov.Credit: James Brickwood
It’s a significant drop from his current $1.1 million salary, but Trbojevic was understanding of the club’s position due to his unfortunate spell of injuries and accepted of the likelihood of a positional switch in coming years to accommodate the emergence of young gun Lehi Hopoate.
Trbojevic was ready to sign off on the deal that only required board and management approval, only to be told the club had come back with an offer of $900,000 in 2027, $800,000 in 2028 and $700,000 in 2029.
Mestrov has since contacted Trbojevic to inform him that the restructured deal included a ratchet clause in 2028 and 2029 that would see the value of his contract increase or decrease by the percentage of the change of value in the next broadcast deal.
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That would likely see him earn an annual average salary between the figure of $850,000-$900,000 as originally discussed.
Trbojevic’s management, however, is under the impression a ratchet clause was to be included in the original verbal offer and that any increase in the salary cap would be in addition to the $850,000 agreed last week. Manly insist there was never a discussion of a ratchet clause last week.
While Trbojevic is still adamant he does not want to play for another NRL club, his management has been in discussions with Warrington bosses about a move to the struggling Wolves at the end of his current Manly deal, which expires after the 2026 season.
Both Mestrov and Sutton declined to comment as they work towards finding a resolution to keep Trbojevic at Manly.
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