Paul Gallen says he would happily forsake his standing as Cronulla’s highest-paid player to bring Luke Lewis to the club.

Lewis is weighing up a move to the Sharks or Wests Tigers following becoming granted an early release from the final two years of his contract with Penrith and Gallen would enjoy to line up alongside his NSW teammate at the start off of the 2013 NRL season.

The Cronulla and NSW skipper signed a two-yr contract extension last year which will hold him at the club till the end of the 2015 campaign, and he mentioned attracting top-quality players to Toyota Stadium is far more important to him than earning more income.

“I am fairly satisfied with in which I am at, at the second. If he earns more cash than me, I never care,” Gallen stated on Thursday.

“Toddy (Carney) is almost certainly going to earn much more income than me. It’s about winning. I am a lot more than pleased with my contract and in which it is at and, if someone get more than me, it is fine.”

Sharks coach Shane Flanagan has been operating around the clock trying to persuade Lewis to join his club.

Nevertheless, Gallen explained he had no notion what selection the former Panthers skipper will make, despite the fact he’s been spotted checking out properties in the Cronulla area.

“I spoke to Flanno last evening at 10pm and I know he and (football manager) Darren Mooney are undertaking all they can,” Gallen mentioned.

“It is up to Lewy now. He’s a different character as we all know. I am confident he’ll be hunting at house rates out here and out the Tigers’ way as nicely and will make the right choice for his loved ones and himself.”

Gallen also stated that securing the services of Lewis would send out a signal of intent from the perennial battlers that they are a significant player in the NRL.

“That’s in which we are at the second,” he stated.

“You pick up a player like Luke Lewis then other gamers want to come here as nicely. It would be good to get him.”