Off-contract Eels star caught dining with rival club

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Parramatta's Reed Mahoney has been spotted eating with Bulldogs officials, successful a wide motion the hooker is exploring his options for 2023.

The 23-year-old, who was named successful Queensland's extended squad for the opening State of Origin lucifer this play earlier being injured, is contracted to Parramatta until the extremity of adjacent season.

From November 1, helium was escaped to negociate with rival clubs for 2023.

Mahoney was filmed by a patron astatine Canterbury Leagues Club past night, enjoying a Chinese repast with Bulldogs manager Trent Barrett. The footage was past uploaded to societal media.

Also contiguous were Mahoney's manager Sam Ayoub and Bulldogs wide manager of football, Phil Gould.

While Parramatta is keen to clasp Mahoney, the nine faces a conflict to support each its off-contract stars for 2023. Salary headdress issues volition request to beryllium worked through, with Mahoney's reported asking terms of $700,000 a play a imaginable stumbling block.

The likes of Clint Gutherson and Ryan Matterson are besides off-contract astatine the extremity of adjacent season.

Mahoney has already been linked with a fig of Brisbane-based clubs, including the Dolphins.

The Eels issued a connection connected Friday imploring fans to disregard "media speculation" astir the semipermanent aboriginal of its players.

"Our attack is not to prosecute publically successful speculation regarding subordinate negotiations," the connection said.

"It is disrespectful to the players involved, is unhelpful successful gathering a squad that is acceptable up for success, and astir importantly, goes against however we purpose to run arsenic a club.

"To date, our discussions with players and their managers person been robust, nonrecreational and constructive."

Mahoney's gathering with Bulldogs officials comes arsenic Gold Coast confirms its interest successful Melbourne's Brandon Smith for 2023.

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