Coach Adam O'Brien believes the Knights have tabled a "more than competitive" deal to keep in-demand utility Connor Watson in Newcastle for the next few years.
Watson, who will play his 100th NRL match against the Sharks on Sunday, has spoken to Roosters mentor Trent Robinson about a return to the club where he came through the juniors and debuted in 2016.
The 26-year-old has explored his options but O'Brien is confident Newcastle's offer can land the ball-playing lock's signature.
He said Watson hadn't been distracted by the negotiations.
"The one thing that you can describe Connor Watson as is a professional," O'Brien said on Saturday morning.
"He's gone about his business all week, trained really well. He is a very popular member of our team. We want to keep Connor. I think our offer reflects how much we value him.
Sharks v Knights - Round 22
"From what I understand, it's more than competitive with our rivals, so I think now it comes down to a decision from Connor himself on where he sees himself next year.
"But certainly from the club's point of view, I think it's more than competitive, our offer, and we do value him, we all love Connor.
"I'd love for him to continue with us and be a member of, hopefully, any future success we have.
Another try to Watson and another try celebration
"It'd be good to get [a deal] done. The team and Connor and myself, we're just focused on getting today right, so it doesn't consume me too much – I make sure that our training is good today.
"There's always a process with these things and they're going through it at the moment. But Connor will make a decision, I'd imagine, sooner rather than later."
Watson has overcome several injuries to post a century of first-grade games and the Knights recognised his journey in special fashion.
"We had a highlights video and then we had a package put together from teammates, family, loved ones, supporters," O'Brien said.
"That was quite good. He had his good mate, Kalyn [Ponga], presenting his 100th jersey this morning and spoke some words.
"He is very popular amongst the group, so there was no shortage of people wishing him well."
Meanwhile, O'Brien confirmed centre Bradman Best would face Cronulla after overcoming a minor collarbone injury.
With the Sharks only one win behind the Knights, who are on the cusp of the top eight, the clash at Moreton Daily Stadium is crucial for the finals hopes of both teams.
Hard to fathom Bradman Best is only 19
O'Brien is wary of Cronulla halves Connor Tracey and Braydon Trindall and fullback Will Kennedy, describing them as "very dangerous runners of the ball", but said no extra motivation was needed for his troops.
"Absolutely, no excuses. There have been some games this year that we've been disappointed with, but there have also been some games where I've been really proud of the guys," O'Brien added.
"We've fielded some young teams against the likes of a full-strength Manly. I just feel like we've done a fairly good job of giving ourselves an opportunity to be within that eight.
"To be still holding our gloves up coming into the back end of the year and then all of a sudden we've got all this help back in terms of KP and Junior [Pearce] and that back on the field, I still feel like our best footy is still in front of us.
"We haven't peaked, certainly."
This article contains content that is only available on NRL.com