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I'm a fan of Czernobog
Are you talking to me Pou ?
If they couldn't afford Dugan...
Hayne will cost at least as much as Dugan
and no way he'll accept less than Hunt
.
Semi Radradra has given the biggest indication yet that he will be back playing for Parramatta this time next year following his French rugby stint.
The development comes as footwear manufacturer XBlades opted not to reinstate Radradra as a brand ambassador despite the dropping of domestic violence charges against the Fijian-born flyer.
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Radradra has ruled out any chance of reneging on his commitment to Toulon, who he will join after completing his commitments with the Eels this season. The former Kangaroos winger has signed a one-year deal with the Top 14 club, with an option for a second season in his favour.
However, he is leaning towards returning to the blue and golds as soon as Toulon's 2018 campaign ends, which could be as soon as next May.
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Many happy returns?: Semi Radradra could be back in Eels colours by this time next year. Photo: Getty Images
Radradra's manager, George Christodoulou, scuppered suggestions the 24-year-old was looking to backflip on his contract with the French glamour club, but said he could be back with the Eels this time next season.
"I think he will come back, for sure," Christodoulou said.
"He's definitely going, 100 per cent, as soon as his commitments with Parra are finished.
"In terms of coming back, once the dust has settled after the court case, he's talked about finishing what he's started in the NRL. There is definitely a desire to come back.
"Their [French rugby] final series has commenced now, so all the teams that didn't make it are already on leave. The grand final is a couple of weeks' time, so the worst case the grand final is in May.
"You could be looking at [an Eels return] the first week of June [2018, if Toulon makes the finals], before the June 30 [transfer window closes] potentially."
Mark Gasnier found himself in a similar position in 2010. The cross-code star returned to St George Illawarra in round 17 of that season after finishing his commitments with Stade Francais. Bolstered by Gasnier's return, the Dragons won their first premiership as a joint-venture outfit that season.
Radradra signed with Toulon after he was charged with assaulting former partner Perina Ting. However, prosecutors dropped the charges, to which he pleaded not guilty, at Parramatta Local Court earlier this month.
The Eels felt the drama cost them the chance to re-sign Radradra on a new three-year deal as he felt compelled to scour his overseas options while there was uncertainty over the outcome of the court case.
"At this stage I've suggested to him it's wise to get over there first, enjoy the lifestyle, the culture and a different code," Christodoulou said.
"We'll make a call pretty quick smart after he's there."
One call Radradra isn't happy with is XBlade's decision not to return him to their stable. The legal battle hurt Radradra financially, with his XBlades contract understood to be worth close to a six-figure sum.
Christodoulou wanted Radradra reinstated as an ambassador after his name was cleared, but the firm agreed only to pay out a percentage of the contract.
"We mutually agreed to part ways and we have not had an association for a number of months," XBlades Australia chief executive Leighton Richards said in a statement.
"We are not looking to recruit new brand ambassadors at this stage in the season."
Christodoulou was disappointed by the decision but felt it was best to move on.
"Clearly it wasn't a mutual thing at the time, it was a unilateral decision on their behalf," he said.
"Semi has moved on, it's pretty much dead and buried. I've spoken to Leighton since the court case ended and told him what he did was wrong.
"[Radradra] doesn't need to be dealing with courts and that type of thing any more, it's best to move forward."
