James Segeyaro is facing a £250,000 transfer fee and court battle with former rugby league club Leeds Rhinos over claims he walked out of a locked contract.
Leeds chief executive, Gary Hetherington, has dismissed suggestions the former Penrith hooker was a free agent after signing a two-and-a-half year deal when he joined the club last June.
Hetherington said that the deal had a get-out clause to opt out on before September 30 but the deadline passed with the former Panther player happy to stay.
The Rhinos Chief told Press Association Sport: "We have a bona fide contract that is currently lodged with the RFL. If they want to go through the courts, that's their prerogative."
Segeyaro is thought to have undergone a change of heart after his return to Sydney consequently failing to report for pre-season training earlier this month.
The player's manager, Sam Ayoub, informed Australian media that the contract was not valid among further rumours that Segeyaro is in talks about a move to NRL champions Cronulla for 2017.
"He terminated that contract by failing to return to the club but he remains on our register and on the transfer list." Hetherington added.
"We have had no request from Cronulla and the NRL have confirmed that while ever he is registered with the RFL he cannot be registered with them."
Segeyaro was an immediate hit with the 2015 champions, helping to preserve their Super League Status after securing nine wins in their last 10 matches of the season.