Wests Tigers rule themselves out of Josh Schuster chase, to sign Manly young gun Latu Fainu

Wests Tigers head coach-in-waiting Benji Marshall has drawn a line through the possibility of the club signing Manly playmaker Josh Schuster

Sydney Morning Herald's Michael Chammas broke the news and also says Manly has tabled Schuster a three-year extension, which would tie him to the Sea Eagles until the end of 2027.

The Tigers were said to be interested in snapping up Schuster after recruitment guru Scott Fulton moved from Manly to the joint-venture club in May.

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That talk was not only fuelled by the switch made by Fulton but question marks lingering over Schuster's fitness and professionalism, with the youngster being hampered by calf and quadricep problems.

During Nine's half-time coverage of the Rabbitohs' clash with the Cowboys, Chammas reported that Marshall had ruled out the prospect of Schuster bolstering the Tigers' halves stock, which are set to be thinned by the departure of halfback Luke Brooks.

"He doesn't believe he will be the answer to the club's halves problems and they will look in a different direction," Chammas said.

"Now, it comes as Manly have offered Schuster a three-year extension, so it looks even more likely that Schuster will remain on the northern beaches."

Marshall's decision to not pursue Schuster isn't the only news to break though, with a swap deal between both sides likely.

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Tigers centre Tommy Talau, who has signed with Manly for next year, will head there immediately as part of the deal with talented young playmaker Latu Fainu to go the other way.

The Tigers are also reportedly hopeful Fainu's older brother Samuela could sign with the club.

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