MANLY will open contract extension talks with champion centre Jamie Lyon next week to try to convince him to remain at Brookvale for the rest of his career.

The Sea Eagles have been forced into emergency negotiations following the revelation yesterday the Gold Coast Titans had swooped on their much admired skipper with a $2.8 million offer to quit straight away.

The Titans have been secretly planning the move for Lyon since Christmas and were "90 per cent sure" they had their man yesterday morning. They released Beau Champion to his old club South Sydney, confident the Sea Eagles' premiership-winning skipper would be enticed to the holiday strip.

On Wednesday Titans coach John Cartwright flew to Sydney to meet Lyon.

Manly were aware they were in talks following a courtesy call from Titans CEO David May to his Sea Eagles counterpart David Perry.

Perry left an impression with the Titans that Manly would consider a release, even for the captain, even so close to the start of the season.

The Daily Telegraph understands Lyon then all but agreed to terms for a four-year deal.

It was conditional on Manly granting him a release.

Lyon was keen on the Gold Coast because his parents live in Ballina, a little over an hour away from the Gold Coast. Still, he has strong ties on the northern peninsula as well. He recently purchased a block of land at Warriewood and is about to build a house.

His possible departure would be a massive blow for Manly.

On the right side he forms a lethal combination with back-rower Glenn Stewart, probably the most potent in the NRL.

Lyon is publicly saying he will stay at Manly to honour the final year of his contract.

The club put out a statement late yesterday afternoon, quoting Lyon confirming the approach from the Gold Coast Titans.

"Unbeknown to me, the Sea Eagles then my manager received an unexpected offer for me to join the Gold Coast team immediately," he said. "My loyalty and commitment to Manly remain uncompromised and I look forward to season 2013 with the Sea Eagles."

Privately, however, it could be a different story.

His Manly contract is worth around $550,000 but there are no guarantees for 2014 and onwards.

Hence Manly's decision to have talks next week, although there are reservations about offering him four years.

The Titans offer is worth up to $2.8 million over four seasons.

From the second year onwards, he'd be paid more than $750,000 a year, a pretty fair salary considering his veteran status.

If Lyon really wants out, he will go. The experienced centre, who turns 31 next week, quit Parramatta mid-contract in 2004.

When then Eels boss Denis Fitzgerald refused to release him to another NRL club, he simply packed his bags and went home to Wee Waa.

Same with State of Origin.

He has been exempt from playing for the Blues because he refuses to spend time in camp away from his young family.

No one has been able to talk him out of it.

Originally published as Sea Eagles fighting to keep Lyon