Hull Kingston Rovers claim they are a better than 50 per cent chance of signing Matt King for next season, but Wigan still appear to be favourites in the race for the Australian Test back.

Hull became the first club to declare they had offered the Melbourne star a contract after reports last week claimed there were up to five English Super League teams vying for the NSW Origin centre's signature.

Powerhouses Wigan and Bradford were believed to be the frontrunners, but Bradford this week announced they had pulled out of the bidding.

Rovers have reportedly offered King the richest package, a three-year deal believed to be worth about $700,000 a season.

But with the club sitting second last on the ladder, and in a real dogfight to stave off relegation, Wigan - who have reportedly offered $600,000 a season - remains the more likely destination.

"I'd say the chances of getting him are better than 50 per cent," Rovers coach Justin Morgan told the Hull Daily Mail.

"Matt King is a top quality player. We have put an offer to him and we have had a very positive response from his agent and he is likely to come to the UK.

"Whether that is with us or somebody else I don't know."

The newspaper claimed Rovers would be favourites to sign King if they avoided relegation, adding it would be "the biggest signing in the club's history" should they recruit the 26-year-old.

Five clubs were said to have been chasing King last week - Bradford, Wigan, Hull KR, Leeds and London - but it was believed only three remained in the running.

King is expected to announce his future within the next week after playing for NSW in the final State of Origin match against Queensland at Suncorp Stadium.

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