Semi Radradra is not for sale according to Parramatta coach Brad Arthur.
The under-siege NRL club are desperately trying to shed $570,000 worth of player payments to fit under the salary cap by Friday week’s clash against South Sydney, in an attempt to earn competition points this season.
It’s led to the possibility of a potential fire sale at Parramatta, but Arthur says it won’t include the Kangaroos winger heading to a rival club.
“They are not having him,” Arthur told News Corp Australia.
“Semi doesn’t want to go anywhere. He is staying.
“He doesn’t want to go and we don’t want him to go.”
Realistically, the departure of Radradra alone would do very little to help save the club’s salary cap situation.
The 23-year-old signed a four-year contract in 2014 reportedly worth $250,000 a season, meaning the Eels would yield far less breathing room from releasing him as they would other higher-paid players.
Retaining him could prove a bigger issue long-term though, given he will be expecting a significant upgrade next contract and cap space will be at a premium.
The Eels confirmed on Wednesday that former NRL salary cap boss Ian Schubert was helping them clean up the mess, while it is expected a lot will rely of how much cash can be written off with the possible retirement of Anthony Watmough.
Even if the Eels are eligible to play for points by next week, they will likely need to win 12 of their last 15 to make the finals.
Muzz
Guest
Semi is a beast!
Old School
Roar Rookie
They don't need to shop Semi - Watmough or Paulo would be easier to swallow. Although I can't see Semi staying long term as his number 1 priority would be getting max money to support his family. And nobody should really be paying a winger that much money in the NRL...he'll go to Rugby in Europe for sure.
Train Without A Terminus
Guest
Largely because he dogged on a handshake with Brisbane I understand.
Benedict Arnold
Guest
All french rugby has to do is offer him north of 500k AUD and he will be gone. For a player like him to go to rugby with his athleticism he will be worth it for sure.
Max
Guest
semi was ambivalent about what he is doing next year but French Rugby have big $$$ and he could still play for Fiji RU
peeeko
Guest
he is not going to leave, they need to get rid of cash and he is on a small amount and wont give then much relief. this is a rumour started by James Hooper that every news source in town has decided to go with because it sounds good
peeeko
Guest
he cant leave if hes on contract and they can continue to pay him
up in the north
Roar Rookie
I agree, Parra should just suck it up this year and strive to be cap compliant next year, rather than ripping their roster to shreds trying to be legit for the rest of this year.
pjm
Roar Rookie
The Eels would be better off playing for no points all year than losing Semi.
Richard Maybury
Guest
I remember Melbourne saying that about the big 4. Said by the players too and they all offered to take a pay cut. Bellamy was adamant that the big 4 must stay no matter what. Said it for nearly an entire season. Why did Inglis join Souths again ?
Tom G
Guest
That may not be a decision that Arthur has any say in. Semi supports half a village in Fiji.. that costs money and as the only Eels players currently on unders he may well decide to cash up and fly if the money is right.