I never understand why NRL fans want to quibble and challenge what newly signed players may be worth.
When we sign a player with a record and a reputation like Averillo, we are generally bidding against other clubs.
It's similar to buying a house. The market dictates the price, regardless of what buyers would prefer it to be. You want a sought-after player, you have to offer the winning price.
Otherwise, you're buying unproven rookies or burnt-out oldies.
Who cares if you think the reported price for Averillo is too much? Obviously, the reported competition for his signature dictates the price.
The club determines whether he's worth it based on their plans for the squad over the next 4 years, and how the salary cap management will work.
Besides, we don't know what he will be paid apart from media reports, which can vary. We don't know exactly what other players in the squad are paid, either, and what space there'll be in the salary cap in 2027 and beyond, given recruitment and retention changes.