PAUL Vaughan could not hold down a regular spot in Canberra’s forward pack during their charge to the play-offs this season.

But that hasn’t stopped St George Illawarra from shelling out a small fortune to entice the Raiders prop to quit the national capital.

Desperate for a recruitment kill after missing the marquee signatures of Corey Norman and Jarryd Hayne, the cashed-up Dragons are poised to snare Vaughan on a three-year-deal worth a staggering $1.75 million.

A decision on his future could come as early as Wednesday.

EXAMPLE: Why Fifita missed Roo selection

MEMORIES: The 50 biggest moments of the season

Despite spending time in the NSW Cup with Mounties at the back end of the season after making way for mid-season signing Junior Paulo, Vaughan has been in demand after making a big impact off the bench during the finals series.

He has another year to run on his current contract worth around $450,000 in 2017 but Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has reluctantly allowed him to leave early to alleviate salary cap pressure.

The Red V regard Vaughan as a future Origin player who will help fill the void in the pack left by the departure of Englishman Mike Cooper and the retirement of former skipper Ben Creagh.

Newcastle, Parramatta and Wests Tigers all expressed an interest in the Raiders prop with the Knights and Eels both making offers.

But according to sources, neither club was in the ballpark when it came to matching the Dragons’ mammoth deal.

It is understood Canberra will tip in around $100,000 of the $450,000 Vaughan will earn in 2017 with the Dragons to fork out $650,000 a season for him in 2018 and 2019.

Knights coach Nathan Brown admitted his club had targeted Vaughan after it emerged he was on the market.

“We were certainly interested in him but not for the type of money that was being talked about in the end,” Brown said.

“We just could not compete. Good luck to him because he is a good player but we are just not in a position financially to afford that sort of a contract.”

As late as yesterday, the Eels were still in the picture but it was considered highly unlikely they would be able to come up with a counter offer overnight to trump the Dragons.

* In further signing news, Manly has secured Newcastle’s Akuila Uate on a two year deal with the former Test winger knocking back a lucrative offer to join Warrington in the English Super League to remain in the NRL.

Meanwhile, Eagles backrower Jamie Buhrer has inked a two year deal to link with the Knights while Newcastle is also on the verge of officially announcing the signing of Cowboys hooker Rory Kostjasyn.