What’s the Buzz: The Parramatta Eels are set to offer Daly Cherry-Evans $4 million
Phil Rothfield
The Sunday Telegraph
July 20, 2014 12:00AM
THE Parramatta Eels want to pinch Manly’s champion halfback Daly Cherry-Evans — and they are prepared to offer $4 million to get him.
Eels coach Brad Arthur believes he is the one player to complete the jigsaw and deliver Parramatta’s first premiership since 1986.
It would be their first champion halfback since Peter Sterling.
Cherry-Evans has put contract talks at Manly on hold until next season, when his current deal expires.
It was originally expected that he would head to the Brisbane Broncos, but his wife enjoys life in Sydney and wants their young family to stay in the Harbour City.
I’m told the Eels are prepared to go to $4 million — a cool $1 million-a-season — over four years to secure one of the game’s best playmakers. It would give the Eels potentially a premiership winning spine with Jarryd Hayne at fullback, Cherry-Evans at halfback and Nathan Peats at hooker.
Like a lot of Manly players, Cherry-Evans has enormous respect for Parramatta coach Arthur, who was assistant coach at the Sea Eagles last season.
The plan to secure the brilliant Queensland halfback would mean the end of Chris Sandow’s association with Parramatta.
Unless he is picked up by a rival Sydney club, England’s Super League would be his most likely option.
