NRL great Mark Geyer grills Eels over 'reckless' $2.6m Mitchell Barnett play

The Eels' pursuit of Mitchell Barnett has been labelled "reckless" by Mark Geyer, with the Warriors co-captain yet to confirm where his future lies back in Australia.

Barnett announced last month that he would be departing his deal with the Warriors at the end of the season to return to Australia for "personal reasons" due to a sick child.

The NSW front-rower has been linked to several teams, although it appears the Broncos are the front-runners to secure his signature.

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Geyer revealed he has heard Barnett is all but "signed, sealed and delivered" to join the Broncos next season, but that will not stop interest from rival teams.

In fact, News Corp has reported the Eels will do whatever it takes to get Barnett.

As per the report, the Eels are set to increase their three-year offer to be worth around $2.6m, meaning he would be on $860,000 per season.

If Barnett accepted Parramatta's reported offer, he would be 35 when the deal expires.

"That is almost reckless of Parramatta," Geyer told 2GB's Wide World of Sports.

"This is a guy that is almost 32 and coming off an ACL injury.

"Yes, he is a good player and he has been getting better with age. But to be in position to offer someone who is 32 $860,000 a year after coming off profound injury to now be one of the highest paid players in your team, I don't think that is good for team harmony."

Parramatta's highest paid player on the current roster is Mitch Moses, who is on a deal worth roughly $1.3m per season.

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Barnett has been sidelined since mid-last season due to a knee injury but is said to be on track to return in the coming weeks for the Warriors.

Geyer agreed with host Adam Hawse the Eels desperately need an enforcer in the middle of the park, with Junior Paulo nearing the end of his career.

"They thought they had him until last weekend," Geyer said of the Eels and Barnett.

"They bought Jack de Belin for that reason and then (J'maine Hopgood) got suspended for two weeks."

Geyer questioned why Newcastle has been ruled out of contention, given the city is closer to Barnett's family in Taree.

The Eels will travel to Brisbane to face the Broncos in round two on Thursday.