The highly fancied second-rower has opted to remain at the Cowboys for a further three years on a deal that is understood to be all but announced.

Newcastle had pursued the Cowboys' Rookie of the Year with intent but could not convince the 20-year-old to leave Townsville at the end of this year.

Knights recruitment chief Clint Zammit confirmed late on Wednesday night the club would not be signing the Cairns product.

"I thought he would have been a good fit for us, a kid that could come into our team and be a long-term player for us on an edge," Zammit said.

"We tried our best but he decide to stay.

"We were definitely in the fight."

Zammit predicted Luki, who has only played 11 NRL games and debuted against the Knights last year, would have a long career if he knuckled down.

"I think he is going to be a wonderful player, an Origin player," Zammit said.

"He is a kid on the rise and he has got potential.

"If he keeps working hard over the next one of two years, he will be a long-term NRL player."

Despite missing out on Luki, a forward remains a priority for the Knights who still have four vacant spots in their top-30 roster less than a month out from the start of the season.

The club was recently linked to Anthony Milford but no NRL club is able to register a contract for the former Broncos playmaker while criminal proceedings for assault allegations are ongoing.

Winger Edrick Lee, who has been on a train and trial contract, is likely to fill one roster spot.

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