The Roosters are inching closer to securing Cronulla centre Josh Morris — but only if they pay a six-figure transfer fee and if the Sharks can keep Morris for the early rounds of the NRL season.

After weeks of negotiations and posturing in the media, Roosters chairman Nick Politis and Sharks counterpart Dino Mezzatesta are set to bring the matter to a head in coming days.

Josh Morris has asked for a release from the Sharks - but the club has refused to budge despite salary cap pressures. Credit:NRL Photos

The Sharks want a transfer fee after paying four months of Morris’ 2020 contract and this looms as the main sticking point between the two clubs.

The figure is believed to be about $100,000. Whether Politis is prepared to cough up that much is debatable.