Gold Coast Titans managing director Michael Searle confirmed the new franchise was keen to bring rugby union winger Lote Tuqiri back to league.

Tuqiri comes off contract after next year's Rugby World Cup and Searle believes the Titans stand the best chance of any NRL club in luring the 26-year-old back from the NSW Waratahs and ARU.

"I think it is fair to say we would like to give it a tilt (at signing Tuqiri)," said Searle.

"Being a new licence we have a better ability under the salary cap than some other clubs.

"The problem we will always have is the revenue the ARU throw at him his way and above his playing contract.

"It is a challenge, but at the end of the day it would be fantastic if we can get him back to league."

Searle said ideally Tuqiri would be the Titans' major signing for the 2008 season.

With 24 of its top 25 roster already signed for 2007, Searle hopes to finalise the inaugural squad by next week with the club's final signing.

"We are looking perhaps at someone who can play halves, backrow and or five-eighth and lock or a number nine," he said.

"It's probably going to be a fringe player but someone with regular NRL experience."

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