Kieran Foran hasn’t signed with Parramatta, and Manly won’t be releasing Daly Cherry-Evans to Gold Coast for this NRL season.
That’s the current status quo at Brookvale, according to Sea Eagles boss Joe Kelly.
Speaking on Triple M on Thursday night, Kelly responded to fierce speculation that Foran has committed his future to the Eels on a four-year deal by saying repeatedly the Kiwi international’s management has assured him he hasn’t signed with the Eels.
“I have spoken to both Kieran and his management today, the latest at this point in time is that Kieran hasn’t signed a contract with any other club for beyond ’15,” Kelly said.
“So at the moment we are still in the battle, we continue to fight all the way on this one.
“They (Foran’s management) gave me assurances that Kieran hasn’t signed a contract with Parramatta.”
Whether Kelly or Foran’s management are muddying the waters through semantics remains to be seen, with rumours only continuing to grow the 2011 premiership winner has agreed to terms with Brad Arthurs’ Eels.
Kelly did concede, however, that Arthur’s position as Parramatta coach and his relationship developed with Foran during his time as an assistant at Brookvale was a key factor in the matter.
“It’s not about the football program here, it is more about a relationship he has developed over time with the head coach of Parramatta, that is the key to where Kieran’s thoughts are at this stage,” Kelly said.
“But we are doing everything in our power to retain him and show him our vision going forward, our future is very much based around Kieran.”
After Cherry-Evans agreed on Friday to move to the Titans for the next four seasons beginning in 2016, reports have emerged Manly might look to move the Queensland and Australian representative on this season, possibly in a player swap.
But Kelly said that won’t happen.
“Not at this stage at all,” he said.
“We are looking at retaining Daly until the end of 2015 and Daly being so professional, he has got to where he has got to because he is so professional, he will give a 100 per cent and he is very much part of this team for the rest of the year.”
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