ANY hope of Robbie Farah finding a new home at Bondi was blown out of the water the moment Jake Friend got wind of it.

The Daily Telegraph can also reveal that Farah’s manager Sam Ayoub met with St George Illawarra on Wednesday.

While the Dragons haven’t ruled out signing Farah for next season, Ayoub was told Mitch Rein remains the club’s priority beyond 2016.

But talks with the Roosters broke down after Trent Robinson addressed the subject with Friend and his senior playing group.

It is understood Friend was initially stunned to hear of the developments after revelations became public knowledge on the weekend.

While the Roosters’ hierarchy initially entertained the possibility of picking up the NSW hooker at a bargain price, it was decided that the club would not push forward with the idea out of respect to their co-captain.

It is believed Robinson’s main priority was always the harmony of his squad. While the move would have further strengthened the Roosters’ already powerful roster, the last thing the coach wanted to do was unsettle Friend, who has tremendous respect among his teammates.

Unfortunately for Farah it now means another option has been taken away through no fault of his own as he scrambles to find a new NRL club for 2016.

While the Tigers have made it virtually untenable for their former captain to stay even though he has two years remaining on his existing contract, at this point they have refused to pay out the money Farah is owed.

It means Farah’s only alternative for now is to stay on and train with the club until the matter is resolved.

Farah spent Wednesday night in camp with the Tigers in Port Stephens and Ayoub was adamant no decision was even close.

“We are as bewildered as anybody at the moment,” Ayoub said.

“Until we hear back from the Tigers there is nothing for us to update you on. And that is the truth.”

The Daily Telegraph was also told Ayoub spent some time with St George Illawarra and Farah’s name was brought up in conversation.

Given the Dragons already have Rein on their books on a deal believed to be worth $450,000 for 2016, they would also have to rely on the Tigers paying the majority of Farah’s wage for any deal to work.

The club has also expressed interest in extending Rein’s contract beyond next season.

Newcastle have already ruled out making a play for Farah, while talks with South Sydney also fell through.

Tigers coach Jason Taylor recently said he and Farah had worked through the majority of their issues.

While that might be Taylor’s take on their relationship, it is hard to see how Farah could possibly view that as the case given the disrespect the club has shown him in recent months.

Taylor himself still has two years to run on his own contract but Ivan Cleary’s name continues to be mentioned as a possible replacement if the Tigers have a poor start to next season.

Cleary has a strong past relationship with new Tigers chief executive Justin Pascoe from their time together at Penrith.

Cleary recently told The Daily Telegraph he would consider all options.

But if the Tigers view him as a potential solution to the current situation they might want to act sooner rather than later.

While Cleary’s past record speaks for itself, The Daily Telegraph also understands other clubs have already sounded him out for varying positions next year, although Cleary said his first choice was to be a head coach.