'Already been a deal': Andrew Johns makes staggering DCE call as Roosters confirm interest

Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson has admitted the club will consider tabling a deal for outgoing Manly Sea Eagles captain Daly Cherry-Evans, while re-affirming his long-term plan to build his roster around precocious $1 million playmaker Sam Walker.

But rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns suspects Cherry-Evans has already agreed to join a new club, whether "with a handshake or a wink wink, nod nod", and pinpointed the Roosters as the 36-year-old halfback's likely next home.

"We haven't discussed it is the first thing," Robinson said on Thursday afternoon.

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"It's pretty big news for the game obviously and pretty rare that a player like that comes on the market, especially at this time of the year. We haven't discussed it as yet, but as a business you've got to look at it as well. I'd say we'll get to that when we know a bit more info, though, about [when] decisions get made as well.

"I don't think I need to talk about how good a player he is. I think we all know how good he is and how dominant he's been in many arenas. I think it's pretty clear for everyone to see that.

"It will be interesting to see which direction he wants to go over the next few months."

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Cherry-Evans said on Nine's 100% Footy on Monday night that he was open to playing in the NRL next season, but claimed he was yet to make a decision on which club he would join if he opted against retiring.

Johns cast doubt over that comment on Nine's Freddy and The Eighth.

"I think there's already been a deal done. I don't think he's signed, but I reckon he's agreed to terms, with a handshake or a wink wink, nod nod. [I reckon he's said], 'I'll be there'," said Johns, who believes Cherry-Evans could lure a pay packet of $1.4-1.5 million a year.

"The Roosters board's got great connections. If he's looking to go into the media, there's great connection with Nine and also Fox, if that's what he wants to do."

Roosters icon Brad Fittler also thinks it's feasible that Cherry-Evans joins the Tricolours.

"They've got plenty of [salary cap] space; put it that way," Fittler said.

"You look at what's happened at the Roosters over the last couple of years, especially over the pre-season."

Joseph Suaalii, Joey Manu, Luke Keary, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Sitili Tupouniua and Terrell May all departed the Roosters after the 2024 season, and the club's only 2025 gains were veteran halfback Chad Townsend and former Wallabies winger Mark Nawaqanitawase.

NSW Blues hooker Reece Robson will cross from North Queensland to Bondi after this season, while Kiwi international Brandon Smith will leave the Roosters for bitter rivals South Sydney at some point this year.

While Robinson confirmed the Roosters were interested in Cherry-Evans, he also said they were "set on a path" with their young playmakers.

Walker will miss roughly the first half of the season with an ACL rupture, but the 22-year-old is considered one of the top emerging halfbacks in the game and is contracted to the Roosters until the end of 2027.

Sandon Smith, who's also 22, has begun the season at five-eighth and is contracted to the Tricolours until the end of 2026.

The Roosters are also investing in many other up-and-coming playmakers through the academy the club launched in 2021.

Townsend is playing a stop-gap role in the Roosters' No.7 jumper on a one-year deal.

"I think people were waiting for us to do something last year [amid the exodus of big-money talent]," Robinson said.

"We've been pretty clearly about what we've been doing with our players and our halves, and we're pretty clear about the development of them, and that doesn't change."