GOLD Coast- bound Manly star Daly Cherry-Evans has been accused of allegedly contacting Newcastle centre Dane Gagai in a bid to convince the Queensland Origin hopeful to spurn offers from the Knights and Brisbane to join him at the Titans next season.

Under fire for the way he openly conducted his own contract negotiations before revealing he was quitting the Sea Eagles at the end of the season to link with Gold Coast, Cherry-Evans is certain to come under further scrutiny over these latest claims.

The Daily Telegraph has been told the star halfback is already actively playing a recruitment role for the club he will join in 2015.

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It’s alleged he personally rang Gagai earlier this week in an attempt to entice the off-contract Knights star to the Gold Coast in 2015 with Newcastle CEO Matt Gidley refusing to hose down the explosive claims.

While Gidley would not identify Cherry-Evans by name, he made it pretty clear the Manly halfback was at the centre of the controversy.

“I’ve been made aware of approaches to some of our off-contract players by a leading halfback in the game,” Gidley confirmed.

“I’d rather not say any more than that at this stage.”

media_camera Daly Cherry-Evans has reportedly sounded out Dane Gagai about joining the Titans.

A source at the club revealed the Knights are privately fuming over the Gagai approach, which comes after the Titans officially joined the race to sign him by tabling a lucrative offer.

“Who is on his hit list? How many other players are being contacted?” the source said.

“It’s a dangerous game to be playing when you are still at your current club.”

Gagai’s manager Steve Gillis, who was ironically in meetings with Titans players and club management on the Gold Coast on Thursday, refused to confirm or deny the phone call took place.

“I’m not making any comment on it,” Gillis said.

media_camera Daly Cherry-Evans appears to have taken Titans recruitment into his own hands.

Titans coach Neil Henry claimed there has been no instruction to Cherry-Evans about taking an active role in recruitment for next season.

“I heard the rumour about it (the phone call) happening but that was the first I’d heard of it,” Henry said.

“I haven’t spoken to Daly since he signed with us so if he is ringing any players, it is not with my knowledge. I can’t vouch for the other recruitment staff here at the club.”

Henry confirmed the Titans had joined the race for Gagai’s signature and hat already tabled an offer.

“He’s a very good player who we’d love to have come to the club,” Henry said.