Unwanted Knights hooker Danny Levi admits the downside of a move to Manly to resurrect his NRL career will be leaving Newcastle and a host of close teammates behind.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The former Kiwi international is on the verge of linking with the Eagles immediately despite having a year to run at the Knights with a deal almost certain to be finalised within the next day or two.
"I don't want to jump the gun after what happened last time [with a deal at Parramatta falling over at the 11th hour] but hopefully, I'll get a call from my manager today or tomorrow and it will be done," Levi told the Newcastle Herald on Wednesday.
"It's all happened pretty quick. I only found out about it on Sunday night and pretty much it's all happening now so it's all good."
The Knights aren't commenting on Levi's pending move until it's finalised but it's understood a release was requested on Monday pending settlement of the deal with the Eagles.
The Knights have made it clear they would not stand in the way of the 24-year-old hooker going elsewhere after signing Jayden Brailey from Cronulla as their number one hooker during last season.
Brailey is regarded as an 80 minute player but the club also has utility Connor Watson as a hooking back-up along with the emerging Luke Huth.
Levi faced the prospect of playing a season in NSW Cup if he remained at the Knights.
I love this place and all the boys here and that's not going to change but you've got to do what you've got to do.
- Danny Levi
He knew the writing was on the wall when Brailey was enticed from the Sharks.
"It was pretty much a sign they were telling me without telling me when they signed him [Brailey] so I just needed to do what I had to do - prove myself somewhere else," he said. "Maybe if I was moving with my family to the heart of Sydney, I wouldn't be too keen but Manly seems a nice area so it's all good.
"I love this place [Newcastle] and all the boys here and that's not going to change but you've got to do what you've got to do."
The Newcastle Herald first touted Levi's links to Manly last October after the club's number one hooker Manase Fainu was stood down under the NRL's no-fault policy following an alleged stabbing of a man at a church dance party in Sydney's west.
Fainu has pleaded not guilty to charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and recklessly causing grievous bodily harm in company.
He is due back in court on February 3 and has been stood down until the case has been fully resolved.
While you're with us, did you know the Newcastle Herald offers breaking news alerts, daily email newsletters and more? Keep up to date with all the local news - sign up here
IN NEWS TODAY
