Manly coach Des Hasler has attempted to pour cold water on his NRL club’s interest in Clint Gutherson, saying he’s too expensive for the Sea Eagles to squeeze into their salary cap.
Parramatta skipper Gutherson is off-contract at the end of 2019 and has been frustrated as his contract talks have played out publicly over the last several weeks.
The Eels have reportedly refused to meet his asking price of $750,000 a season with his management announcing they were set to negotiate with rival clubs.
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Gutho sick of contract talk
3:45Gutherson on Thursday denied he was set to meet with Hasler, and the Sea Eagles mentor on Friday also said he had no plans to sit down with the former Manly junior.
“No, no, no,” Hasler said when asked if he planned to hold talks with the 24-year-old.
“We’re still in a situation where we’ve got salary cap constraints.
“We’re still operating 350 (thousand) under the cap. We still have 250 suspended. I haven’t spoken to Clint Gutherson.
“At this stage, no, it’s just not feasible.”
The Sea Eagles had $660,000 shaved off their salary cap over 2018 and 2019 after being found guilty of salary cap cheating.
However they will have a full salary cap to work with in 2020 and beyond.
Should Dylan Walker, who faces an uncertain future, depart the club, it would also free up room.
Walker has been stood down under the game’s “no fault” rules after being charged with domestic violence offences.
He has pleaded not guilty.
Also standing in the way of the deal is the fact that the club has one of the game’s premier No.1s on their books in Tom Trbojevic, but Gutherson spent the bulk of 2016 and 2017 at five-eighth.
Hasler expressed his admiration for Gutherson but said the club wasn’t in a position to meet his asking price.
“I think anyone would be a fan of the way he’s playing,” Hasler said.
“He’s also a local junior. And he has that flexibility and versatility. But he also costs a lot of money.”
Replies
O dear just released on fox sport Manly unable to come to the table with Gutho so the saga continues. So what’s next
Lol so Manly don’t even want him. I honestly reckon Ayoub has got us bidding against ourselves here. Outside of maybe the titans I can’t think of a single club who would offer him over 500k I just can’t.
Ayoub is waiting for the Origin call up. He told Gutho the job is his, just waiting for Freddy to make it official...
Lol! He is certainly earning his pay the little prick
I reckon Ayoub has those cards to play. I think he can somehow get Gutho James Roberts centre spot
I dont care just give him hes $700,000get it over done with
If this debacle with manly is true and they aren’t interested, then Paul Kent MUST be taken off every show.
Nothing but a shit stirrer!!!
Its time Gutho, resign or the Eels should with draw offer. Parra have other players to lock up, so carefull Gutho ya maybe signing for 575k.
Especially if Israel Folau gets dumped tomorrow....... and if the NRL open up a whisper of him being allowed back in the NRL. There might be a high flying new number 1 in the offer! I reckon he would take 650K
Although I've said I'm against Folau because I regard him a devisive figure...how funny would that be Guth being told Folau's been offered and accepted his contract and position and there's only a centre position available for 300K. :)
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