Jarryd Hayne preparing for a shock return to Parramatta Eels in 2018
JARRYD Hayne has told his closest friends that his intention is to leave the Gold Coast Titans and return to the club he left in 2014.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
EXCLUSIVE: Hayne ready to quit Titans after RLWC 2017
TITANS RESPOND: Jarryd Hayne hasn’t told us anything
MAL MENINGA: Jarryd Hayne ‘has let the Titans down’
THE prodigal son wants to come home.
Jarryd Hayne is preparing for a shock return to Parramatta next season, where he hopes to pen the final chapter of his colourful NRL career.
The 29-year-old has told his closest friends that his intention is to leave the Gold Coast Titans and return to the Eels for the first time since leaving the club in 2014 to chase his NFL dream.
Hayne is prepared to take a significant pay cut to play under Eels coach Brad Arthur, even though his preferred fullback position is unlikely to be available with both Clint Gutherson and Bevan French vying for the No.1 jumper next year.
Hayne would need to be willing to return and play in the centres or wing, where he has played previously for Australia and NSW.
The departure of try-scoring sensation Semi Radradra to French Rugby Union has left a vacancy in the Eels backline, but also in the club’s salary cap.
It’s also robbed the Eels of a genuine crowd-pleaser who had the power to affect crowds, marketing and merchandise; which Hayne has the potential to replace.
It’s been reported previously that the blue and golds, whose only major signing for next year to date has been Roosters forward Kane Evans, boast close to $1 million in the salary cap.
I have NOT instructed my manger to SPEAK to teams in Sydney. @BuzzRothfield #slownewsday https://t.co/P09ka5kpl8
— jarryd hayne (@JarrydHayne) November 2, 2017
In the wake of news that Hayne’s manager Wayne Beavis has informed the Titans that the superstar wants to play elsewhere next year, the Eels wouldn’t disclose any interest in Hayne when The Daily Telegraph contacted chief executive Bernie Gurr.
“We don’t discuss our recruitment policy publicly,’’ Gurr said.
Hayne’s desire to return to the club he made his debut with as a teenager in 2006 and for which he scored 103 tries in 176 games will also assist his personal life because he can be closer to his 12-month old daughter and partner, who are planning to reside on the Central Coast.
The entire plan for Hayne to return to Sydney — and potentially the Eels — is dependent on working out a payout deal with the Titans because he is contracted to the club until the end of next season.
That deal is worth close to $1.2 million and the Titans have the power to block the move.
Further, no club, not even the Eels, would be willing to supplement his current asking price, meaning Hayne would have to slash his salary next year to at least half of its current value.
Hayne has told his closest friends he’d be willing to play for Parramatta at a reduced rate.
He has also made no secret of his love for the Eels.
The Fijian World Cup star used his press conference to announce his arrival at the Titans to also express how “I’m as devastated as any fan that I won’t be pulling on the blue-and-gold jersey this year.’’
The Titans were quick to smother the notion of Hayne leaving the club, releasing a press statement yesterday that claimed: “There has been no application made for Jarryd to be released from his Titans contract.’’
LISTEN! Everyone’s on board the PNG World Cup bandwagon, while Italy have hit an early self destruct. The Tele Sport team go through all the tournament talking points and preview week two.