Lewis, a great Cronulla player, supports Shaun Johnson's move as the Sharks encircle the Warriors' star

Luke Lewis, a retired retiree from recently retired Cronulla, says the move to the Sharks would give Shaun Johnson a "new lease of life" as the future of the Warrior half-star is at stake.

Johnson's contract negotiations with the Warriors took a radical turn on Tuesday, after the Kiwi playmaker reportedly asked for a release from the final year of his current contract.

The Sharks are one of the few clubs to have a salary cap for the 2019 season after the shock release of Valentine Holmes to pursue her dream in the NFL.

Although the Dragons can still enter the race for his services after the Sydney Morning Herald reported that five eighths, Gareth Widdop had asked for an immediate release to return to England.

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The Raiders have also been associated with Johnson, but it is understood that wage restrictions will prevent them from bidding at this stage.

Cameron George, General Manager of the Warriors, did not respond to calls from Things but said Tuesday at a forum of club members that they were considering their options and that they would know where they would be in the "next 24 hours".

The Sharks reportedly spoke to Johnson's agent about their move to Cronulla. The club's recruiting team would meet Wednesday to finalize a potential four-year bid.

It has also been suggested that Johnson could take a one-year contract before returning to the market in 2019, while a host of clubs would have enough room in the salary cap to be able to play for the player. 28 years.

Lewis, who retired at the end of the season after helping Cronulla win his first position as premier in 2016, has no doubt that Johnson would be a perfect match for the Sharks.

"That would get him out of his comfort zone and make him want to prove to all his new teammates that you have what you need," said Lewis at the The telegraph of the day.

"He would bring the X factor we are (Cronulla) in search of now that we have lost Val.

"Basically, he ticks all the boxes for us.He is a leader, he played a lot of football test and he played at all levels.

"Moreover, it would open many doors to Shaun here in Australia.

"He has always been a New Zealand boy, but his networking ability here in Sydney would go to another level."

A move to Sydney's Sutherland Shire would reunite Johnson with his former halves partner, Chad Townsend, who played two seasons with the Warriors in 2014-2015, while allowing Matt Moylan, a 5-8, to move to the best-known position. from the back.

Johnson has been the face of the Warriors since his debut in 2011 and has already expressed his desire to become a club player.

But Lewis, faced with a similar situation when he left Penrith in 2012, said switching to a new system might be the best solution for the talented but incoherent halfback.

"At the Warriors, it's all up to Shaun Johnson, and it's the same for Aaron Woods of the Tigers and Bulldogs," he told the The telegraph of the day.

"But in the Sharks, Shaun can play in a team that does not rely on a single player, it will not fall on his shoulders, like the best part of the last six years.

"He has already played with Chad Townsend at the Warriors and I know that they share a good friendship.

"Shaun could hit the ground running, which is a huge advantage."