Manly coach Des Hasler is set to snare a replacement for the stood down hooker Manase Fainu, with Newcastle’s Danny Levi on the verge of switching clubs.

The Daily Telegraph reports Levi is set to finalise a deal with the Sea Eagles this week which will propel him into the club’s No.9 jersey.

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According to the report, the Knights will chip in $150,000 for Levi to play for their rivals this season, while the Sea Eagles will pay $225,000.

Round 19

Danny Levi is set to join the Sea Eagles. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

The Sea Eagles’ hooking stocks took a huge hit in the off-season after Api Koroisau left for Penrith, while Fainu was stood down by the NRL after he was charged over the alleged stabbing of a man at a Mormon church dance in October.

It’s opened the door for Levi to move to the Northern Beaches after his playing future was left in limbo after the Knights signed Jayden Brailey from Cronulla.

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Levi has played 83 NRL games since debuting for the Knights in 2015, but his form has started to waiver in recent seasons.

He was a noticeable absentee from the Knights’ team photo last week.