It’s NRL silly season and the name on everyone’s lips this week is Latrell Mitchell.

The young star has been linked to a bunch of rival clubs after the Roosters revealed they had withdrawn a contract extension worth about $800,000 per season.

He’s still on their books for 2020 but almost certain to fly the coop.

This is where every club sits in the bidding war.

Round 20

Stream the 2019 Oceania Cup Live & On-Demand on KAYO SPORTS. Get your 14 day free trial and start streaming instantly >

ROOSTERS AIN’T LOYAL: Mundine’s advice to Latrell Mitchell

LATRELL A COWBOY? Mitchell sounds out North Queensland

COOPER A GIANT: Cronk joins AFL club’s coaching staff

PRINCE IS STAYING: Young gun Lewis signs new Bulldogs deal

COWBOYS

Chances?: Alive and kicking

Why: The Courier Mail first reported this week Mitchell has asked a close friend to approach North Queensland and gauge their interest.

The Cowboys have a lump of cash sitting waiting for Valentine Holmes to ditch his NFL dream and return Down Under.

Holmes could command as much as $1 million a year from the Cowboys and so it’s understood the club has left plenty of room free under the salary cap.

If the Holmes return doesn’t eventuate, Mitchell would be a more than suitable option B.

He is willing to play the fullback role that Holmes would have occupied, and North Queensland has been crying out for representative player of his quality for some time now.

The Cowboys are dying to add some cream to the top of their list and Mitchell would fit the bill.

TIGERS

Chances?: Right in the hunt

Why: Foxsports.com.au first reported this week the Tigers were prepared to throw the bank at the international star.

The retirement of Ben Matulino and the release of both Ryan Matterson and Esan Marsters has armed the Concord club with a sizeable war chest with which to chase a big name.

The Tigers could offer Mitchell as much as $1.1 million over a three-year deal, and could hand him the money immediately if he broke his Roosters contract.

Mitchell would also be allowed to play fullback at the Tigers.

It would be an interesting working relationship with coach Michael Maguire if Mitchell was to join them.

Maguire is known as a strict disciplinarian and that has often put certain players offside.

BULLDOGS

Chances?: More likely for 2021

Why: Foxsports.com.au has reported Mitchell has been meeting with Canterbury board members, some of whom are keen to lure the young star to Belmore.

Earlier this week he met with a high-ranking official and stated his desire to play fullback for the club.

The sticking point is they just re-signed Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, who also wants the No.1 jersey.

The Daily Telegraph is also reporting the Dogs won’t have the required cash to spend on Mitchell for season 2020, and might have it the year after.

Bulldogs boss Lynn Anderson told the Telegraph the club had not officially approached Mitchell’s management.

KNIGHTS

Chances?: Put a line through them ... at least for now

Why: It was reported earlier this week Newcastle would be Mitchell’s club of choice if he did leave the chook pen immediately.

He’s a country boy from Taree and the Hunter club is the closest geographically to where Mitchell’s heart truly lies.

But there’s a few problems with a potential move up the highway.

Mitchell reportedly wants to play fullback, and the Knights are pretty well set on Kalyn Ponga being their No.1 for next season at least.

Then there’s the money. Newcastle is forking out decent coin for Mitchell Pearce, David Klemmer, and will have to extend and upgrade Ponga as well.

Even if they could afford the $1 million Mitchell is after, that would be almost half their salary cap tied up in four players.

New Knights coach Adam O’Brien conceded on Wednesday the club would struggle to fit Mitchell in.

“We’ve got some spots on our list, obviously (but) not spots at that high end in the salary cap, but I don’t know if there’s been any direct correspondence between Latrell’s management and us. I couldn’t answer that question,” O’Brien said.

“I haven’t sat down and had a complete good look at our forecast salary cap.

“Look, he’s an exceptional talent – I connected really well with Latrell – but having said that, there’s a lot of things to get through in terms of our own.”

RABBITOHS and PANTHERS

Chances?: Zero

Why: Both clubs have this week publicly put a line through signing Mitchell.

South Sydney and Penrith had both been linked to the young star but have state they won’t be pursuing him at this stage.

“We have no interest. We have cap space but he is not on our radar,” Panthers boss Brian Fletcher told AAP.

Bunnies boss Shane Richardson bizarrely suggested Mitchell should remain at the Roosters.

“We might be linked to him but we have never spoken to him, never spoken to his manager — I don’t even know who it is — and we have no interest in him,” Richardson told the Telegraph.