Eels respond to Hayne saga after series of bizarre Tweets from star

The Parramatta Eels have responded to speculation around the future of Jarryd Hayne in the wake of a series of bizarre Tweets from the NRL star. Parramatta have have told Hayne they still want him to be at the Eels next year despite the NRL star turning up the heat on the club for a new contract. Off-contract Hayne took to social media over the weekend to claim he was still waiting on an offer from Parramatta, before the club returns to pre-season training at the start of next month. Responding to fans questions on Twitter, Hayne reiterated his desire to bring a premiership to the Eels but insisted he was being honest in his claims he was yet to receive an offer to stay.

“5 weeks still waiting for a contract??” Hayne tweeted in reply to a plea from a fan for the club to re-sign him on Friday night. Eels chief executive Bernie Gurr confirmed to AAP on Monday they were still talking to the 31-year-old about a new deal, and they had told him they wanted him at Parramatta. The two-time Dally M medallist’s tweets come after he claimed earlier this year he did not want to make a decision on his future until the end of the season. At the time Hayne also avoided questions over a potential move to the 15-man game with Fiji, before the Rugby World Cup at the end of next year. But it now appears clearer that both Hayne and the Eels want to stick together in 2019.

Eels make big coaching call after horror NRL season

Parramatta have vowed to stick solid with Brad Arthur and outlined ambitions to become the NRL's next super club following a forensic review of their disastrous 2018 season. The Eels on Wednesday revealed the findings of a three-month review carried out by former Essendon administrator Shane McCurry.

Among the list of recommendations were:

* A need to review the club's culture after a raft of negative headlines over the last few years

* The appointment of a coaching coordinator to oversee their junior rep program

* Their NSW Cup team to be rebranded as Parramatta from 2020 at the conclusion of their feeder club agreement with Wentworthville

* The appointment of a head of recruitment

* Plans to build a centre of excellence from 2023

Despite finishing with the wooden spoon and missing the finals for the fourth time in five seasons under Arthur's watch, CEO Bernie Gurr reiterated his support for the coach. Gurr said he would not put a timeline on the how long the 44-year-old has to turn around the club's fortunes and backed Arthur to see out his current contract which expires at the end of next season. "He's our coach and he'll be through to next year," Gurr told AAP.

Eels won't put deadline on Hayne signing

Parramatta are refusing to put a deadline on Jarryd Hayne's contract negotiations despite having just over two weeks before they begin NRL pre-season training. The Eels are expected to resume talks with the cross-code star in the coming days after he returned from his post-season holidays. Hayne's next move remains a mystery with the former NSW and Australian star still unsigned for 2019 and weighing up his future. Having finished last this year, the Eels will waste no time and return to pre-season training on November 1.

Hayne was reported to be on a cut-price $500,000 deal this year after his tumultuous exit from the Gold Coast. When asked if the blue and golds wanted clarity around their salary cap and Hayne's future just 23 days out from the club's return, CEO Bernie Gurr said: "We're patient. "Certain dominoes need to fall where they need to fall. We're patient." Gurr reiterated the club's desire to retain Hayne however said they had yet to speak to him after giving him time away to decide on his next step. Gurr denied that the length of contract being offered was a sticking point. It had been rumoured that Hayne was asking for a one-year deal while the club wanted him to sign for longer.