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Manly prop Brent Kite is desperate to remain part of the Sea Eagles' future despite behind-the-scenes moves to shift him to Wests Tigers.
The 31-year-old has a year to run on his contract but may be offloaded to ease Manly's salary cap pressures.
Reeling from the loss of Chris Heighington and Beau Ryan to Cronulla, the Tigers are keen to add Kite to their roster for 2013.
But if Kite has his way, he'll be staying put on the northern beaches.
"I'd hope not," he told Sportal when asked if he was being forced out of the club.
"I've got a contract here and I'd love to fulfil that. I am planning on being here next year.
"It's a little bit strange (rumours of his departure) but there's always going to be a bit of speculation.
"There's no secret that we're under a bit of (salary cap) pressure at Manly so a few blokes have to maybe move on, but hopefully it's not me.
"I'd love to stay here. We've built something special and had some success so I'm looking forward to having a bit more yet."
Manly coach Geoff Toovey has been non-committal over Kite's future but an announcement is expected as soon as the club's season is over.
Kite's arrival at Manly in 2005 coincided with the start of the club's run of eight straight finals appearances.
He played in the 2008 and 2011 grand final victories and plans to add at least one more title to his collection.
The Sea Eagles will play in their fourth decider in six years if they overcome Melbourne in Friday night's preliminary final at AAMI Park.
Kite said: "There's still potential in this team to go on and get another premiership.
"We've managed to stay together. We haven't lost too many key players and when we have we've been able to get someone else into the job to do a similar role.
"It would be good to go out with another one or two."
The 31-year-old has a year to run on his contract but may be offloaded to ease Manly's salary cap pressures.
Reeling from the loss of Chris Heighington and Beau Ryan to Cronulla, the Tigers are keen to add Kite to their roster for 2013.
But if Kite has his way, he'll be staying put on the northern beaches.
"I'd hope not," he told Sportal when asked if he was being forced out of the club.
"I've got a contract here and I'd love to fulfil that. I am planning on being here next year.
"It's a little bit strange (rumours of his departure) but there's always going to be a bit of speculation.
"There's no secret that we're under a bit of (salary cap) pressure at Manly so a few blokes have to maybe move on, but hopefully it's not me.
"I'd love to stay here. We've built something special and had some success so I'm looking forward to having a bit more yet."
Manly coach Geoff Toovey has been non-committal over Kite's future but an announcement is expected as soon as the club's season is over.
Kite's arrival at Manly in 2005 coincided with the start of the club's run of eight straight finals appearances.
He played in the 2008 and 2011 grand final victories and plans to add at least one more title to his collection.
The Sea Eagles will play in their fourth decider in six years if they overcome Melbourne in Friday night's preliminary final at AAMI Park.
Kite said: "There's still potential in this team to go on and get another premiership.
"We've managed to stay together. We haven't lost too many key players and when we have we've been able to get someone else into the job to do a similar role.
"It would be good to go out with another one or two."
