In-demand New Zealand international Junior Sa'u wants to stay at Newcastle, but his management team has warned the Knights' new owners they can't wait around forever.
Having patiently watched Tinkler Sports Group's failed chase of Canterbury centre Jamal Idris - who signed a five-year deal with Gold Coast on Tuesday- Sa'u's manager Steve Gillis said the pocket dynamo was anxious to find out whether he would be part of the new regime.
Celebrating his 24th birthday on Monday, Sa'u is keen to remain at the club to work under incoming coach Wayne Bennett in 2012, but Gillis said there were plenty of clubs ready to pounce if the Knights failed to act.
"There's a fair bit of interest in him, his preference would be to stay there, but we're just waiting to see the lay of the land," Gillis told AAP.
"They know we can't wait forever - we'll see what transpires.
"We're just waiting for them to get back to us."
Gillis refused to divulge which clubs had declared an interest in Sa'u, who has represented the Kiwis in nine Tests, but it is believed the Bulldogs had made early enquiries as a back-up plan if Idris left.
With Idris now having confirmed his departure - leaving a large gap in the club's salary cap for next season - Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg admitted his club was looking at the options available on the free-agent market.
But he denied a replacement centre was of paramount importance, with the club already focused on luring England Test prop James Graham to the club.
"First and foremost I think young Tim Lafai who's come through this year and taken his opportunity, he's on contract with us until the end of 2012 and he's been nothing but impressive, so certainly we're very happy with what we've got," Greenberg said.
"Obviously with some money to spare in the salary cap we'll obviously be looking at what opportunities are available for us.
"I think what you'll find over the next few weeks is every name that's available and on the market and in the centre position will be linked to us.
"We're not ruling anyone in and we're not ruling anyone out."
