Incoming Manly CEO Tim Cleary has officially quashed the hottest whisper of the NRL off-season: James Graham's rumoured move to the Sea Eagles.

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Social media has been in overdrive for several weeks suggesting the maroon and whites were clearing cap space to make an audacious bid for the Bulldogs leader.

While admitting the prospect of Graham shifting to the northern beaches has plenty of appeal, Cleary conceded the Sea Eagles weren't in a position to make a play for the Englishman.

"I saw that (rumour) but there's no truth in that," Cleary told Sporting News in a wide-ranging Facebook Live interview on Monday.

"If he was on the market and we could afford him it'd be something we’d look at, but there's no truth in that.

"We’ve got a salary cap and we’ll stick by that."

After a busy off-season recruitment drive that has netted a host of new players, Cleary expects Bozo's cheque book to be shelved.

"There might be some fine tweaking but there are no big names coming our way," Cleary said.

"Our roster is pretty close to where it will start."

Cleary, who officially starts his new role next month, also expects Brent Lawrence and Jorge Taufua to stay at the club next year despite talk they may be offloaded.

He said: "I haven’t heard that. They are part of the roster so I’d have to talk to Trent about that.

"I haven't been part of those dealings but I expect that they'll be here.

"They are well loved and well positioned and part of the roster."

Watch the full interview with Tim Cleary here: