New Zealand hooker Issac Luke has been linked with a stunning move to the Warriors next season and is set to seek a release from South Sydney.
Luke, who played for the Kiwis in last Sunday's 26-12 defeat of Australia, is believed to have told Rabbitohs officials he wants to return to New Zealand for family reasons and talks with the Warriors are so advanced a deal could be announced in days.
It is understood the NRL premiers won't stand in Luke's way given his service to Souths since joining the club from Canterbury in 2007.
The signing of Luke would be a massive boost for the Warriors after recently snaring Sydney Roosters fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and represents the biggest recruitment coup for the club since luring Steve Price and Ruben Wiki across the Tasman in 2005.
With halfback Shaun Johnson also at the club, the Warriors would have three of the four members of the New Zealand spine from last weekend's historic third consecutive Test defeat of the Kangaroos.
The Warriors have been trying to convince Luke to move home since 2011 and pursued him vigorously the last time he was off contract in 2014.
However, the 27-year-old re-signed with the Rabbitohs and had been expected to play out his career with the club.
He is a member of Souths leadership group and has captained the club on several occasions this season, including during their successful Auckland Nines campaign earlier this year.
Luke, who has played 33 Tests for New Zealand, is considered a senior member of the Kiwis team and led the haka before and after last Sunday's Test in Brisbane.
A member of the New Zealand teams that won the 2008 World Cup and the 2010 and 2014 Four Nations tournaments, Luke was also named the No.1 hooker in the world in 2013 when awarded the Rugby League International Federation hooker of the year award.
Since joining Souths in 2007, Luke has played 176 NRL matches for the Rabbitohs and won the prestigious John Sattler Medal in 2010 as the club's best and fairest player.
The loss of Luke would be a massive blow for Souths but they have been fighting off approaches from rival clubs to keep rookie hooker Cameron McInnes.
Luke has previously hinted at his desire to return home to New Zealand, saying last year: "It would be great to come home one day, but at the moment my focus is on performing for the Rabbitohs".
After missing last year's grand final win through suspension, he no doubt would like to finish his stint with Souths by helping the club to another premiership.
