Struggling Eels frontrunners to sign Leota

The struggling Parramatta Eels are leading the race to sign four-time Penrith premiership winner Moses Leota.

Only hours after it was revealed that Leota had permission to talk to rival clubs despite being under contract for 2027, the Eels contacted his management.

https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_0.496%2C$multiply_2%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_212%2C$y_92/t_crop_custom/c_scale%2Cw_1240%2Cq_52%2Cf_auto/4433c12e4b5bb040394579aaccfea536b8dd369c 2x" media="(min-width: 1124px)" />https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_0.496%2C$multiply_2%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_212%2C$y_92/t_crop_custom/c_scale%2Cw_1240%2Cq_52%2Cf_auto/4433c12e4b5bb040394579aaccfea536b8dd369c 2x" media="(min-width: 1024px)" />https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_0.496%2C$multiply_2%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_212%2C$y_92/t_crop_custom/c_scale%2Cw_1392%2Cq_52%2Cf_auto/4433c12e4b5bb040394579aaccfea536b8dd369c 2x" media="(min-width: 768px)" />

4433c12e4b5bb040394579aaccfea536b8dd369c

https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_0.496%2C$multiply_2%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_212%2C$y_92/t_crop_custom/c_scale%2Cw_764%2Cq_52%2Cf_auto/4433c12e4b5bb040394579aaccfea536b8dd369c 2x" alt="NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 26: Moses Leota of the Panthers warming up prior to play during the round eight NRL match between Newcastle Knights and Penrith Panthers at McDonald Jones Stadium, on April 26, 2026, in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)" width="100%" />

Moses Leota could leave the Panthers. Getty

After another under-performing season, the Eels are desperate for muscle up front and hard man Leota would be an ideal leader of their young pack.

“They are keen to talk so we will sit down with them and see what they have to offer,” Leota’s manager, Gavin Orr, told nine.com.au.

“If it is a strong offer we will seriously consider it. If not, he will stay where he is.

“Moses loves it at Penrith, but he is 30 and will be 32 when he signs his next contract, so it will probably be his last contract.

"Did the warriors get ripped on more than a few calls?, yes they did but they only have themselves to blame for the loss. They totally dominated the first have but only managed to score 6 points, they should have scored at least 18. The warriors…"

"It's the off season and his manager is amping it up no doubt as he knows from past contracts that we will buckle! And that there is little else on market unless you look at Reggie's / Massey etc. "

"In answer to your questions - some very questionable calls. The ref again is the same ref who's at times made some strange calls but the bunker has been a disaster. PVL allowed Klein to ref following his issues with gambling and yet nothing to see…"

Replies

Mallee57 July 1, 2026 at 7:58am

He won't come to Parra 🤣
- Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin > Mallee57 July 1, 2026 at 8:04am
  
  Well, we have the best in the business doing the negotiations in buckets ! 😅😅😅
  - Kurupt - Your Mums Favourite Thug > Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin July 1, 2026 at 8:18am
    
    Wrong and wrong, he'll come to Parra on a 6.6mil six year contract, oh and the player options, so many player options.
JC July 1, 2026 at 8:07am

Really need him for next year
- Baracuda > JC July 1, 2026 at 9:15am
  
  it would make sense for all parties.
  
  Leota goes, theres $750k to go into retention, thats if hes salary for next season wasnt increasing.
  - JC > Baracuda July 1, 2026 at 9:46am
    
    Going off what his manager said above it looks like 2027 is in play.
Y2Eel July 1, 2026 at 8:10am

So its for 2028 and he will be 32... are we really that desperate? There's is a big list of off contract forwards in 28...
Darren Munro July 1, 2026 at 8:12am

Only if it's next year. His only on 750k. His probably looking for a pay day.
Kurupt - Your Mums Favourite Thug July 1, 2026 at 8:20am

If we had any skill in r and r, we'd get him for 800k and for 3 years. It makes sense for a family man to work close to home.
KENDOZA July 1, 2026 at 8:40am

We have the frank ponissi of the west. We have no issues closing this deal