Parramatta will withdraw their offer to Clint Gutherson at the end of the week if the skipper doesn't agree to the deal on the table.
NRL.com understands the Eels, who are growing increasingly frustrated with the protracted negotiations, will put a deadline on Gutherson and place a take it or leave it ultimatum.
The Eels want to bring it to a head – one way or another – and are expected to inform Gutherson's manager on Tuesday of their intention to pull their three-year, $1.95 million deal from the table at the end of the week.
Parramatta decided last week they wouldn't budge on their deal and would take this course of action, but wanted to wait until after Saturday night's match against Melbourne before informing Gutherson.
The Eels want to push forward with plans for 2020 and beyond and believe they have given Gutherson ample time to decide if he wants to be part of those plans.
If Gutherson doesn't sign by week's end, the Eels – who were thumped 64-10 by Melbourne in Magic Round – are planning to immediately begin their search for a new No.1 for next season.
It comes as the club prepares to table an offer to New Zealand captain Dallin Watene-Zelezniak - as revealed by NRL.com on Saturday. His manager Tyran Smith has been in discussions with the Eels about a potential release from Penrith as early as the coming weeks.
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The Eels have discussed luring Watene-Zelezniak to the club prior to the June 30 signings deadline, however the original plans were to play him as a right centre in the hope of keeping Gutherson at the back.
Those discussions could change in the coming days should Gutherson decide against taking up the Eels deal, with Watene-Zelezniak to come into discussions as the club's potential long-term fullback option.
As it stands, the Eels are waiting on permission from the Panthers to table an offer to Watene-Zelezniak, who been angling for the No.1 jersey at the club for some time.
It's understood the Panthers have a recruitment and retention committee meeting this week, which will be the first time the club has had to make a major player-related decision without Phil Gould in almost a decade.
It's unclear whether coach Ivan Cleary wants to keep him, but there is growing pressure from within the organisation to begin a clean-out of the roster following the team's horror opening to the season to clear space in a salary cap that is near capacity for the next 18 months.
Replies
good
I dont really want him at fullback long term. Good hard player but wasnt good enough to be fullback at Penrith. He can take over from Taka
If we let go of Gutherson i will hand in my membership and get a tattoo cover up of my eel on my arm
Letting Gutherson go will be the maddest thing we ever do in history it be like losing loins all over again but this time we letting him go
Please stay Gutherson we need you more then we think
What we have offered is more than fair for Gutho. He is not even a rep player and our Club does not want to go back to paying overs at the expense of the total team. Don't get me wrong, I want him to stay but the current offer is fair and reasonable!
If Guthurson leaves it will have been his choice.
Now for the stuff you're gonna do is like telling a chick that's indifferant that your gonna cut your prick off to teach her a lesson.
If we lose Gutherson get ready for a mas clean out of players because none of them want to play for a club like to get wooden spoons all the time i bet we will get the spoon next year
Who going to replace him Hoffman French Jennings DWZhttps://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OGC.e0fa15d183dbc4e6d4d55f8c6a6d29e5&pid=Api&rurl=https%3a%2f%2fmedia.giphy.com%2fmedia%2fAPcFiiTrG0x2%2fgiphy.gif&ehk=ZSTRoH2jz1EMtn1KOI%2bCaA
Arne those same players won us a spoon. Where they gunna go. There are 16 off contract end 2019 and not one of them have outside offers, media would be all over it.
The balls in Parras court, they,ll decide who they want and what they,ll pay. Including Gutho, so gutho sign or fark off.
Fergo to fullback Gjennings to wing, Gutho have the week off to fill out apps for new job.
Gutherson was here last year when Parra won the spoon