Michael Maguire’s relationship with Mitch Barnett could be the trump card the Broncos need to sign the Warriors enforcer as the defending premiers look to lock in a top-tier replacement when Payne Haas leaves at the end of the season.

The Warriors announced last week that their co-captain would return to Australia in 2027 for personal reasons, with several clubs already being linked to his services.

Eels coach Jason Ryles said on Tuesday that Parramatta would consider signing the representative forward, while Maguire confirmed on Thursday morning that he had met with Barnett to discuss his future.

Maguire was the NSW coach when Barnett made his State of Origin debut in 2024, and the pair could reunite at Red Hill next season.

“I met with him, but I talk to a lot of the players that I’ve coached over time, and he’s one of them,” Maguire said ahead of his side’s blockbuster battle with Penrith on Friday night.

“He’s a great character and my style of player.

“In time, I don’t know (when he will make a decision). I tend to leave that part to the front office, but he’s my style of player.”

The Warriors have since indicated that they’d like compensation for Barnett.

“I don’t get caught up in that. I just focus on what we’re doing now,” Maguire said.

“That’s the future part of it. We’ve got a big game and I don’t really get caught up in that sort of chatter. My job is to look to the future, but now is the most important thing because we’ve got a new competition to start, so those things don’t come into my mind.”

Barnett’s signature would be a huge relief for the Broncos who were rocked by news earlier this year that Haas – the best forward in the world – would join the Rabbitohs next year and reunite with former coach Wayne Bennett.

It will leave a gaping hole in the middle considering there is no one who can do what Haas does, but Maguire isn’t worried about what might happen in the future given Haas is still at the club and determined to help them defend their title.

“In 12 months’ time, he’ll move towards that. But what he’s doing right now with every training session, he hasn’t changed,” Maguire said.

“He dials into every meeting and everything we do. Things change at some stage of our life, but while we’ve got players like Payne here and what he’s been able to achieve over the last 10 years for the club, we’re going to make sure we represent that every day. He’s doing that as well.

“Until you’re in their shoes (you can’t comment) because everyone makes decisions. I’ve spoken to him about it and I’ll leave it there because that’s between Payne and I.

“I’ve shared some great experiences with Payne over the last couple of years in the Origin space and in club land.

“He’s obviously got visions about where he wants to go, but one thing he has at the moment is he’s very dialled into what we’re doing here because he loves playing with this team and he does love the club.

“Sometimes change just happens in your life.”