Parramatta have softened their stance with Clint Gutherson and the deadline put in place to sign a new deal.
Gutherson was informed at the start of the week his contract talks had dragged on far too long and he had until the end of the week to accept a three-year deal worth close to $2 million.
The star No. 1 remains hopeful of securing a fourth year out west.
On the same day coach Brad Arthur extended his deal by two years, Eels CEO Bernie Gurr said the club would keep the door ajar for Gutherson beyond this week.
"The reality is [Eels general manager of football] Mark O'Neill and [Gutherson's manager] Sam Ayoub have continued their dialogue, they met today, but there is no deadline," Gurr told the Herald. "The negotiations will continue because there is no deadline. We have continually told Sam and Clint we want him to stay at the club – we want Gutho at the Eels. He's the captain, he's a popular member of our club, so nothing has changed there."
There are some people at the Eels still pushing for Gutherson to make a call as soon as possible. Gutherson himself conceded at the start of the month he was frustrated by the intense speculation about his future beyond this year.
Ayoub was far from impressed when first informed about the deadline, and it is understood on Tuesday O'Neill informed him Gutherson would have more time. Gutherson had hoped to sign off on a deal before Christmas.
The Herald learned a rival Sydney club asked about Gutherson's movements within hours of hearing of the Eels' Friday deadline.
Manly have been one club interested in luring Gutherson home. The 24-year-old still resides on the northern beaches and remains friends with several Sea Eagles, including Jake Trbojevic.
Mitchell Moses is another high-profile Eel who remains unsigned beyond this year.
Parramatta head north to Townsville on Friday where they take on the North Queensland Cowboys.
The Cowboys were in need of a fullback at the start of the season after Valentine Holmes pursued his NFL career, but Gutherson was and remains not on their radar.
Replies
This is getting bigger than 'Gone with the Wind' , 'Ben Hur', and more sickening than 'Neighbours' and 'Home and Away' these players, managers, board members and coach should all have a dose of laxatives and clean themselves out!
Val Holmes for Gutherson would be sweet. I'm sure he'll be back in the NRL next year.
Val is a superstar and worth 800K-900K.
Hayne came back all the wrong fitness and body shape after his NFL stint, it is all about short bursts in NFL, would be very cautious about signing Holmes, would need to be a lower amount the first year while he gets back into NRL fitness levels.
No. Wrong. Far younger than Hayne.
Age doesnt change the fact you dont change your entire fitness type and body shape overnight, takes months.
Typical media tactic...
Make up a story to get clicks and then get the target to deny said story to get more clicks...
There never was a deadline.
Yes I don't recall the club saying there was one. Mind you this needs to be sorted ASAP.
The club should have taken the lead from the media and twigged that Maybe a deadline would be a good idea.
Surely this is a gee-up. This is really getting too much now.
Man this whole thing is a piss take.. Going back on the deadline just shows the club are push overs and don't really stick to their words. Good way to show them they can just get what they want if they drag it out enough.
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