CANTERBURY must up the ante to retain Moses Mbye with the Bulldogs’ latest contract offer falling $300,000 short of the Queensland young gun’s price tag.

Mbye plays just his 28th NRL game on Friday against Souths at ANZ Stadium, but market forces and the interest of three NRL rivals have seen his value soar to $800,000 per season.

With quality young playmakers thin on the ground, Canterbury recognise they have a gem and have made moves to extend Mbye, who is off-contract at the end of next season.

The Courier-Mail understands Bulldogs boss Raelene Castle held talks with Mbye’s management a fortnight ago, with Canterbury prepared to table a $500,000 extension.

But with that figure significantly shy of Mbye’s perceived market worth, talks were put on hold to allow the classy five-eighth to focus on Canterbury’s finals push.

Just turned 22, Mbye has told Bulldogs coach Des Hasler his preference is to stay. But his long-term future at Belmore hinges on either Canterbury coming to the table with a more lucrative offer or Mbye’s management agreeing to lower the financial bar.

The latter scenario appears unlikely given Mbye’s increasing rise as a future Queensland Origin star and the reality that playmaking sensations can name their price on the open market.

Melbourne are eyeing off Mbye as a potential halves partner for Cooper Cronk, while the Noosa product has also been linked with the Titans and the Roosters.

The Storm will pose a greater threat than the Bondi club, who are set to blood Jackson Hastings at five-eighth next season to replace Sharks-bound James Maloney.

Mbye admits the three-way scrumbase battle between himself, Josh Reynolds and Trent Hodkinson has at times tested his patience. But with Hodkinson defecting to Newcastle next year, the Bulldogs cannot afford to lose a game-manager rated a future Maroons captain by Broncos assistant coach Kevin Walters.

LATE MAIL: Sutton in doubt for GF replay

LEFT FIELD: The seven strangest positional switches in NRL history

“At times it can be (frustrating) but at this club we are fortunate to have three quality halves and two positions available,” Mbye said.

“We do joke about it. It is a gee-up for us. We joke about who has it over who, who is in the team this week or next week.

“This has been a good year for me. I have strung some games together and I’m happy with my form but there is still so much to improve on even this year.”

Mbye was twice rejected by the Broncos in his teens, but says there is no bad blood with the club.

“Every young Queenslander wants to play for the Broncos,” he said.

“It would have been great to have an opportunity there, but I wouldn’t change this for the world.

“I wasn’t good enough. There’s no grudge and never will be. People operate their business in different ways.

“The Broncos didn’t want me so whatever, big deal, the Bulldogs did and I am very grateful.”