Andrew Johns' manager delivered a stunning message to the NRL club as speculation mounted the Knights captain was poised to switch codes - if you want to talk to Johns you go through me.

John Fordham, whose relationship with the Knights is becoming more strained by the day, rang the NRL club at the weekend and asked them to give Johns some peace.

"I rang the club and said get off his back," Fordham said.

"He was getting phone calls left, right and centre.

"I did ask (chief executive) Ken Conway to give him the courtesy of giving him the weekend by himself.

"If the club needs to further their discussions about Andrew Johns and the Newcastle Knights they call me.

"That's the message."

It's understood Johns spoke to NSW Waratahs coach Ewan McKenzie, heightening speculation a group of wealthy benefactors were ready to join forces to entice Johns to rugby union.

However, Fordham said he had yet to receive a formal offer from anyone attached to the Waratahs.

"If you're asking me whether the NSW Waratahs or any group purporting to be associated with or acting on behalf of (the Waratahs) made an offer to Andrew Johns to play rugby union, the answer is without question no," he said.

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