With just three months to go in the NRL contracting year, almost 90 players are officially listed as off contract at the end of the season with deals expiring on October 31.
Wests Tigers star Adam Doueihi is the highest profile of those, with Te Maire Martin, Will Kennedy, Adam Elliott and Tyson Frizell among other top-line talent still to be locked down.
Most clubs have already begun turning attention to their 2027 rosters, desperate to retain elite players before they become free agents on November 1.
But more immediately, 2026 is a concern for close to one-sixth of the NRL's players.
Havili at this stage looks likely to leave the Rabbitohs, with Brandon Smith and Bronson Garlick having recently signed with the club as hooking utilities.
AAP understands there has been some interest from Canterbury, while Parramatta loomed as one other option.
A Super League move is also not off the cards, with at least two clubs believed to be potential suitors.
"That's definitely an option (to go to England). I've got options to play here too," Havili, who has been in the NRL since 2014, told AAP.
"I still think I've got a lot of footy in me.
"I'm just happy to explore my options. I've got a young family to look after. I'm open to every option and everything out there."
Now aged 32, Havili has been one of the few players at South Sydney not to have long-term injury issues this year after a few interrupted seasons.
The one-time Kiwis hooker also remains part of Tonga's set up, and wants to contribute more there after finishing up.
"I do understand where I'm at with my career and what I can give," Havili said.
"I also want to get into a bit of coaching too. So that's something I'm looking forward to in that pathway within the Pacific Island."
Elsewhere, Frizell has an option at Newcastle for 2026 and is expected to follow fellow veteran Dane Gagai into re-signing.
Elliott, meanwhile, is one of the bigger names still to have a deal done for next year.
The 30-year-old is believed to have options on the table in Sydney, with his wife Millie living in the city while playing with the Roosters in NRLW season.
The couple are expecting their first child in September, with Millie sitting out this NRLW season while pregnant.
Doueihi's future is unresolved at the Tigers, with Penrith and St George Illawarra having distanced themselves from reported interest in the Lebanon star.
Cronulla continue to face a salary-cap squeeze headed into next season with fullback Kennedy one of the few members of a first-choice spine coming off contract.
The Sharks are so far unable to match the No.1's asking price, with the situation threatening to drag into the off season.
The Dolphins also have big decisions to make in their pack, with Mark Nicholls and Josh Kerr still unsigned headed toward the end of the season.
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