An immediate upgrade is believed to be required to swat the prying hands of other clubs.

Brisbane have been sniffing around but will not be able to compete with the Gold Coast’s offer of almost $700,000 a season.

The 25-year-old is embarking on the prime of his career and is off-contract at the end of next season.

James won the 2016 Paul Broughton Medal as the club's player of the year.

He will be given the captaincy in place of the retiring Nathan Friend.