Eels set to release Gutherson effective immediately as Dragons talks emerge

Clint Gutherson is reportedly set to be released from his Eels contract early with the skipper’s next club becoming clear.

Clint Gutherson has reportedly been granted an early release by the Parramatta Eels as he closes in on a three-year deal with the Dragons.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald and the Daily Telegraph, the Eels board met on Wednesday night and agreed to grant the captain’s request to leave the club effective immediately.

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It comes after Gutherson was given permission to negotiate with rivals for the 2026 season by incoming coach Jason Ryles.

While the Eels are yet to confirm the release, it is expected he will join Shane Flanagan and the Dragons for 2025.

Another club is understood to have expressed interest in the 30-year-old but it is the Dragons who are firmly in the box seat to land his signature.

Flanagan, head of football Ben Haran and Gutherson’s agent Sam Ayoub met on Wednesday in a bid to reach an agreement on a deal to join the Red V.

The Eels will reportedly not contribute toward Gutherson’s salary, which is estimated at about $850,000 a season.

Clint Gutherson has been granted a release. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

It comes after the Dragons cut ties with skipper Ben Hunt on Wednesday.

It is another significant move by Ryles who has already moved on veteran forward Reagan Campbell-Gillard who joined Des Hasler and the Titans

Damien Cook and Valentine Holmes will also arrive at the Dragons’ pre-season training in the coming weeks, having signed to join Flanagan’s rebuild.

Tyrell Sloan looks set to be ousted from the fullback slot, however the young gun could take up a spot on the wing.

“I think he’d bring leadership. He’s been the captain of a big, powerful club like the Dragons are,” Flanagan previously said of Gutherson to News Corp.

“He’s still a quality player. He played last year, at the back end of the year with broken ribs and knee injury.

“I think he’d be great for Tyrell Sloan. For Tyrell to see the way that he trains and prepares and plays, it would be great for him as well.’’

Originally published as Eels set to release Gutherson effective immediately as Dragons talks emerge