Naitanui closes in a $5 million deal

West Coast are set to lock away Nic Naitanui with the club poised to agree to a new five-year deal with the ruckman.

The contract extension could be worth as much as $5 million.

A report in News Corp papers indicated both parties were on the cusp to signing a new deal, which should be sealed before the start of the 2014 season.

Naitanui is still not certain to be ready for round one after an injury-interrupted pre-season.

Any extension would put Naitanui out of reach of cashed-up Greater Western Sydney.

While there is no doubting the 201cm follower's potential on the field, Naitanui is of great worth to the Eagles in a marketing capacity.

West Coast list manager Craig Vozzo told News Corp the club had progressed well in discussions with Paul Connors, who is Naitanui's manager.

“We have commenced discussions with his management and we are confident there is good faith from both sides and that we will achieve a really good outcome fairly soon,” Vozzo said

If the new deal is sanctioned Naitanui will become one of a half-dozen AFL players earning $1 million a season.