The Roosters have emerged as contenders to claim the signature of Rabbitohs star Adam Doueihi, with the 21-year-old set to split with South Sydney in the coming days.

Eager to get their revenge against their fiercest rivals, who signed Latrell Mitchell after the Roosters had already paid him $116,000 for the 2020 season, the tricolours are in negoatiations with Doueihi - and a deal could leave the Rabbitohs similarly out of pocket.

Souths coach Wayne Bennett told Doueihi he was free to explore his options after the signing of Mitchell. Credit:AAP

Doueihi was not at training on Wednesday morning and is expected to be granted a leave of absence by the club in the coming days. Last week, he was granted permission to skip his club's training camp on the NSW south coast while he sorted out his future in Sydney.

Doueihi was told at the start of the year that he would have a shot at the No.1 jersey after the club re-signed Cody Walker, after initially being told he would be in the No.6. But after the signing of Mitchell, Souths coach Wayne Bennett told Doueihi he was free to explore his options and would have to look elsewhere if he wanted to secure a starting fullback position.