The Eels have given their captain and star fullback permission to meet with other clubs following a meeting with their new coach.
The Eels have given star fullback Clint Gutherson permission to talk to other clubs following a meeting with Parramatta powerbrokers and coach Jason Ryles this morning.
Gutherson is set to remain at the Eels until the end of next season, but he has now been allowed to meet with rival clubs three weeks before the November 1 deadline according to The Daily Telegraph.
It’s believed the Dragons are the favourites to sign Gutherson from 2026.
At this stage, the Eels won’t release Gutherson from his contract early.
Ryles has been open about a shock positional switch to hooker or bench utility for Gutherson in 2025.
The Eels have told Gutho he’s free to go. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)
It remains to be seen if Gutherson is keen to be moved from his fullback position.
The 30-year-old is on a monster deal worth around $900,000 a season and the Eels could opt to let him leave in a bid to free up salary cap space to rebuild their roster.
The Eels finished third last in 2024, just two seasons after making the Grand Final, with Ryles brought in to replace the sacked Brad Arthur in 2025.
Gutherson has scored 100 tries in 210 games for the Eels after playing one game for Manly in 2015 and has 715 points in first grade.
It remains to be seen which clubs could fit Gutherson’s salary in their cap and most clubs are pretty well stocked at fullback.
The Eels may have to chip in a chunk of his salary for him to play elsewhere in 2025 if he decides to leave the club.
