The rumour, reported on Friday by veteran NRL reporter Phil “Buzz” Rothfield on Friday, is that the Panthers playmaker is considering taking a year off from the NRL to play in the UK Super League.

The move would put Cleary, 26, closer to his partner, who plays for Manchester City.

Nathan Cleary, 26, and girlfriend Mary Fowler, 20, smile for the camera in a post shared on Instagram.

Rothfield said he investigated the rumour, reaching out to Panthers boss Brian Fletcher and Cleary’s manager George Mimis “just in case.”

“Both insist it has never been mentioned,” Rothfield said.

In February, Clearly spoke to the Mirror, before Penrith’s World Club Challenge match against the Wigan Warriors.

At the time, Cleary said: “I’m not against it [a Super League move]. I have a pretty open mind to that kind of stuff.

“I think just being able to experience different cultures and different experiences is something I enjoy doing. I’m not closed off to that idea.”

The sporty couple have been dating for over a year now. Picture: Instagram

Cleary and Fowler have been dating since August 2023, when they were first spotted enjoying ice cream together in Sydney.

The couple made their relationship “Instagram official” in January this year, with Cleary sharing a photo of the pair smiling at the beach.

Having recently returned from a serious shoulder injury, Cleary is set to lead his team in the preliminary final against the Cronulla Sharks on Saturday.

Cleary poses with Panthers fans and signs autographs after winning the NRL Qualifying Final match at BlueBet Stadium on September 13. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

A Panthers win would secure them a spot in the grand final, with the chance to claim their fourth consecutive premiership title.

Interestingly, the St George Dragons hold the record for winning the most consecutive premierships in the NRL, achieving this feat between 1956 and 1966 when the competition was known as the New South Wales Rugby League.

If Cleary were to move to the UK Super League, he would follow in the footsteps of other NRL stars, such as Cowboys great Kyle Feldt and Tariq Sims, who left the Melbourne Storm for the Catalans Dragons last year.

Fowler, 20, is currently based in Manchester, where she plays as a forward for soccer giant Manchester City in the English Women’s Super League.

Earlier this month, the Cairns-born soccer player shared a heartwarming video on Instagram of herself FaceTiming Cleary, captioned: “Me and my besties ♡”.

Cleary playfully responded with a couple of heart-hand emojis, adding: “Thanks for not violating me with the other FaceTime screenshots you have.”

While Fowler is overseas, the two-time Clive Churchill Medal winner is under contract with the Panthers until 2027, along with his father and coach, Ivan Cleary.