Parramatta will be desperate to keep star forward Junior Paulo after it was revealed on Thursday that star dummy-half Reed Mahoney had inked a four-year deal with Canterbury.
Having now lost Mahoney and Marata Niukore for the 2023 season and beyond, losing another star in Paulo could be a hammer blow for Brad Arthur’s side.
While Parramatta’s offer for the big man is reportedly less than that being tabled by the Dolphins, The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio believes he’ll stay due to the club’s renewed desperation.
“Look, I’ll say stay,” Riccio said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“That’s not with an abundance of confidence given what’s gone on in the blue and gold across the last 24 to 48 hours.
“Going further back a week or so ago with Marata Niukore and Isaiah Papali’i leaving too.”
Riccio believes negotiations between Paulo’s management and the club are “down the track” with a deal expected imminently.
“Look, negoatiations with Paulo are down the track,” Riccio said.
“They feel pretty confident internally, but with Reed Mahoney going to the Bulldogs, this is a deal they need to get done.
“It has to get done with Junior Paulo for the Parramatta Eels’ sake.”
Paulo has reportedly been offered a deal worth more than $800,000 a season by the Dolphins, while Parramatta’s deal isn’t far behind.
The 28-year-old has played 177 games across nine seasons in the NRL.
More in NRL
Souths pull off remarkable win as Mitchell shines on return
Latrell Mitchell put in a stellar performance to lead South Sydney to a improbable win
From 4-peat to 1-4: Panthers in ‘uncharted waters’ after upset loss to Cowboys
For the first time since the 2013 NRL season, the Panthers find themselves 1-4