Shane Flanagan has confirmed the Cronulla Sharks are also chasing Knights playmaker Trent Hodkinson.
After the Knights signed Conor Watson and Mitchell Pearce plus with youngster Brock Lamb already on their roster, Hodkinson's future at the Hunter-based club is still up in the air.
"It’s really out of our hands," Flanagan told foxsports.com.au.
"It’s Newcastle, Trent and his manager. We’re definitely on the lookout for another half.
"We’ve only really got one of our younger ones, Jack Williams, who has been out injured for a while.
"We need a bit of security there in case of long-term injury. We are on the lookout for a half, if needed can jump in there straight away and Trent probably falls into that category.
"I think he’s got some offers elsewhere. We’re not locked in that it’s got to be Trent.
"We’re on the lookout for another half. We need three plus a young one on the up."
The Sea Eagles are the other club still reportedly chasing the Hodkinson, although with tight-salary cap pressure plus the new addition of former Dragon Joel Thompson, a move back to Manly for the 29-year-old may bee off the table.