Jamie Humphreys is reported to be very, very close to joining the Perth Bears in 2027 on a three-year deal, in a move that would end his brief but eventful run at South Sydney. The halfback, who has played 24 games for Souths since arriving from Manly in 2025, is understood to be edging toward a switch after growing uncertainty over his future at the club.
Adrian Proszenko said this week that Humphreys was very, very close to agreeing to the Perth move, while Souths have not been able to put forward the kind of money he wants. The timing matters because the club's cap squeeze has intensified after Payne Haas's signing from the Broncos, leaving Souths with less room to keep players they would like to retain.
Humphreys' path at Redfern has also been complicated by the rise of Ashton Ward, who now appears to have moved ahead of him as the long-term option for the No.7 jersey. That has left Humphreys in the awkward position of being valued at Souths but not necessarily viewed as the answer for the future, even after he was one of their better performers last year in a season wrecked by injuries.
The player himself appeared to recognise the pull of the club last month when he said: "I love this squad. I love being here. I love the fans. I love representing the history of the club and what it means to put on the South Sydney No.7 jersey. Long-term. I’d love to stay here." Those words now sit uneasily beside the possibility that his next stop is Perth, where the Bears are already building a roster for their entry into the competition.
They have already signed Toby Sexton and Tyran Wishart, with Wishart reportedly lined up to play hooker, and Proszenko also said Jonathan Sua is close to joining. He added that the Bears are adding size and versatility as they shape the squad, with Luke Metcalf also available to rival clubs after the Warriors gave him permission to speak following Tanah Boyd's long-term extension.
For Souths, the issue is no longer whether Humphreys is wanted, but whether they can match a market that is moving around him. If the Perth deal is completed, it will underline how quickly a player who spoke publicly about staying can be pushed toward the exit by salary cap pressure and a changing depth chart.
