The Parramatta Eels are yet to officially lodge Jarryd Hayne's release with the NRL, waiting to finalise a contract that will prohibit the former fullback from joining another NRL club before 2016.
A verbal agreement between Hayne and the club was reached in October that would ensure Hayne returned to the Eels if he failed in pursuing his American dream. The club, however, is in the final stages of completing a binding contract that would ensure Hayne rejoined Parramatta to honour his original contract that expires in November this year if he pulls the pin on his NFL ambitions.
It is understood Hayne is close to announcing a deal with an NFL club, likely to be the Detroit Lions, as early as next week, but the Eels are still protecting themselves from losing their former No.1 to another NRL team or even if he decides to link up with close friend Israel Folau in rugby union.
The Eels granted Hayne a release from his final year - albeit without lodging the official paperwork - on the proviso he returns to the Eels if he is unsuccessful earning a contract with an NFL club. That is now being put to paper to protect the interests of Parramatta and their former poster boy, who is expected to sign the contract when it is completed next week.
If Hayne had officially been released from the final year of his contract with Parramatta, he would be a free agent and open to raids from rival clubs and codes if he is unable to land a team in the NFL.
While Hayne hasn't been released, the Eels aren't paying the former representative fullback.
Parramatta officials have been in constant discussion with NRL boss Dave Smith over the way the Eels should structure their salary cap in case Hayne decides to return.
The Eels won't be leaving space in the salary cap on hearsay, however, and will likely rely on the NRL to weigh in with a marquee player allowance to ensure Hayne could return to Parramatta.
The Eels, which have expressed interest in luring Kieran Foran to the club to join former Manly teammate Anthony Watmough, won't be leaving any money on reserve in the salary cap for Hayne, who visited the players during their preseason camp in Seattle.
Even if Hayne announces a deal with an NFL club next month, he won't be able to begin training with the squad until they return from their offseason in April.
Hayne returned to Australia before Christmas and hasn't been back to the US. His US agent Jack Bechta is finalising paperwork with a club believed to be willing to take a punt on the former NRL superstar.
Offseason coaching movements have also delayed the process, but Hayne's manager Wayne Beavis said he hoped an announcement would be made next week.
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...-agreement-goes-to-paper-20150213-13d1io.html
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