EXCLUSIVE: Andrew Johns believes Super League move 'would be ideal' for Tom Trbojevic

Andrew Johns has thrown his support behind an overseas move for Tom Trbojevic as the injury-plagued Sea Eagles superstar weighs up his future.

The 28-year-old is off-contract at the end of next year, with reports from The Sydney Morning Herald this week indicating the fullback would ponder a career in the Super League if he can't come to terms on an extension with Manly.

READ MORE: 'I'm a bit hurt': O'Brien whacks booing Knights fans

READ MORE: Socceroos 'fairytale' all but secured after dramatic late winner

READ MORE: Cornes apologises over 'false' umpire allegations

Trbojevic is one of the game's best players, but has battled with various injuries during his career and has been sidelined again in recent weeks.

The local junior, along with older brother Jake, has expressed his desire to never play against Manly, which has now opened the door for a switch to England.

When asked about the potential move on Wide World of Sports' Immortal Behaviour, Johns said it "would be ideal" for the former NSW Blues and Kangaroos star.

"Maybe - yeah, maybe [I could see him] going over," Johns said.

"Tom hasn't got a young family, he doesn't have kids. I think that would be ideal for Turbo, for sure. It would be amazing for the Super League over there if he did go.

"We need some of the superstars to go over there."

Johns is a massive advocate for the UK competition, having spent time with Warrington at the back-end of his own glittering career with the Newcastle Knights.

While it remains an outside chance that Trbojevic does finish his career overseas, there will be some major decisions to be made by his current club before November 1.

Trbojevic's injury history combined with his enormous salary has hindered Manly for many years, leaving them without their marquee man at crucial periods.

Watch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.

Things have become even more tricky with the emergence of young gun Lehi Hopoate, who has filled in at fullback with Trbojevic sidelined and done a tremendous job.

According to Johns, desire from both Tom and Jake to finish their careers playing on the Northern Beaches will likely see the club offer them a short-term extension, before they potentially ride off into the sunset as one-club legends.

"This is his [Tom] 10th year, average that out at around 26 games … it works around 260 [in total] and he's only played around 159 games, so he's missed 100 games over that period and this year he has only played seven out of 14," Johns said.

"We know he's a special player, but with the injuries and especially with Lehi Hopoate, the end of next year we're probably looking at one more year for Turbo.

"Jake is the same, everyone knows he's coming to the end. He doesn't have that punch and speed in attack, but defensively he's still a weapon.

"Lehi Hopoate is off-contract in 2027 and how they juggle that [will be interesting].

"There's some big decisions at Manly, but I think they will sign both Jake and Tom for one more year and they will finish up at the end of 2027.

"I just think with the way Lehi Hopoate is going, he is growing as a player and he's a local junior, so it's just a natural progression.

"I think that would be fair and reasonable and I think everyone wins."

Tom is thought to be on a contract worth about $1.1 million per season at the Sea Eagles, while his tough older sibling is on around $900,000 with the club.

Asked whether he could see them both sacrificing a hefty chunk of their salaries to benefit the success of the Sea Eagles long-term, Johns had no reservations.

"A million per cent ... they will take a pay cut for sure," he said.

Manly will already farewell Daly Cherry-Evans at the end of this season in a move that divided the fanbase, with Raiders halfback Jamal Fogarty signed to replace him and will partner Luke Brooks in the halves for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.

Joey Walsh and Onitoni Large are seen as the future halves pairing for the club.