Three players have declared they want Jarome Luai’s jersey when the star five-eighth departs for the Wests Tigers in 2025 — and it’s put the Panthers in a fascinating position.

Luai and his halves partner Nathan Cleary are the key part of the dynasty that’s been built at Penrith over the last four years. But for the first time since, well, they were teenagers, Cleary will be without his sidekick come 2025.

The Panthers faced a similar challenge when Api Koroisau and Viliame Kikau exited last year after winning two premierships with the club.

The club used talent already on the books to replace Koroisau but went to market to fill the hole left by Kikau and bought Luke Garner and Zac Hosking. Although, Scott Sorensen ended up being Kikau’s real replacement.

The next move of the three-peat champions is crucial.

Does coach Ivan Cleary use the $850,000-a-season the club offered Luai to lure another big-name five-eighth to Penrith? Or does he put his faith in the players coming through and use that money to bolster another position?

foxsports.com.au has broken down both options and the players that could replace Luai.