Segeyaro walked away from his Super League contract with the Daily Telegraph reporting the hooker has been in talks with the premiers for two months.

Leeds are said to be prepared to let him go but want the right money to do so with the 26-year-old still having two years remaining on his contract.

The Sharks already have a swag of No.9’s on the books including Manaia Cherrington, Daniel Mortimer and Brailey brothers, Jayden and Blayke.

“We’re expecting him to be back,” Leeds coach Brian McDermott said recently. “We made a commitment to James and he made one to us, so we’re expecting him to return.

“I spoke to him on the phone and he expressed some concerns — which I don’t want to say too much about — in relation to coming back.

“We’ve made an obligation to him and he engaged in an agreement with us and they aren’t to be broken lightly. If he looks you in the eye, says he’ll be back whenever and doesn’t come, that’s a big thing.”

Segeyaro has played 113 NRL games for the Cowboys and Panthers respectively.