Parramatta Eels backflip on bombshell contract ultimatum to three stars
Parramatta has reportedly backflipped on a bombshell contract deadline placed on three of the club's best players.
Eels captain Clint Gutherson, hooker Reed Mahoney, and representative prop Junior Paulo are all off-contract and officially on the NRL market, able to speak to rival clubs.
Mahoney has already been spotted meeting with Bulldogs officials this week and the race to his signature heats up.
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All three players are managed by the same agent, Sam Ayoub.
Parramatta has tabled offers to all three players and the club had reportedly told Ayoub to give them a definitive answer on each deal before the end of this week.
Now, the Sydney Morning Herald reports the Eels have sensationally backed down on that ultimatum.
Eels captain Clint Gutherson. Getty
"Parramatta have tonight avoided a stand-off with the players in what is becoming a rather messy contract saga," journalist Michael Chammas told Nine News.
"The club has contacted Nine News to inform us they have backflipped on that (deadline) decision, and the deadline has been removed to avoid a stand-off with the players."
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The news comes the same day Parramatta lost gun backrower Marata Niukore to the Warriors.
The Eels face a threat from several rivals to retain their star trio, including incoming club the Dolphins, which needs to fill a roster before entering the competition in 2023.
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