FORMER Saints coach Nathan Brown says his Newcastle Knights club are not in talks to sign 2018 Golden Boot winner Tommy Makinson despite recent speculation.

Makinson, who is on holiday in Australia, met up with his former boss Brown last weekend for dinner.

But with his stock sky high after a fine test series against the Kiwis it is understandable that he will be in demand, despite being contracted at Saints till the end of 2020.

Speaking to his club's website, newcastleknights.com.au, Brown explained: "My family and Tommy's family have a good relationship from my time back in England.

"We caught up for a catch-up and Tommy has expressed an interest in coming to the NRL and living in Australia.

"He has a number of clubs he's looking at and he asked me for advice. That's pretty much what it was."

Makinson scored the match securing try when Brown guided Saints to the Super League Grand Final success in 2014 at Old Trafford.

And after spells out injured, the 27-year-old has bounced back with a vengeance, with the Golden Boot being the icing on the cake.

"Tommy is definitely playing with St Helens next year.

"Tommy's desire is to come out at the end of next year.

"He's not off-contract for a couple of years. For any who plays with a club in England and is a high talent like Tommy, the English clubs don't let them go for free.

"There's transfer fees and player swaps. There's a lot of water to go under the bridge in those areas.

"We've just invested quite heavily in the outside backs, so it's not a position at this stage, we're looking at.

"Would we be interested in Tommy if we were looking at those positions? Certainly, he's a terrific player but he's got four or five clubs already interested in him.

"My advice to him would be to sit down with St Helens and organize something soon.

"These processes are long.

"He is a player and character any club would like to have."